A child of two worlds, Opal Crystal never really belonged anywhere. Loved by her heartsick mother, and loathed by her stepfather, she lived her life trapped in a tower of ivory and glass. But when said stepfather betrays her, selling her to the government for experimentation, she must find the strength to carry on...even when all seems lost.
CW: This Generation contains themes of medical torture, false imprisonment, PTSD, and terminal illness.
Forest: Her first solo op. Knew I should have had her take the dog.
Clyde: woof!
Atlantis: She did good for a rookie. You trained her well.
Forest: We couldn’t train her for this.
-
Aurora: How is she?
Cadence: Stable now, but she needs more than this place has.
Aurora: But she is going to make it, right? …Right?
Cadence: I’m not sure yet, but I hope so.
Aurora: …I’m going to talk to the Chief. Keep watch for me?
Cadence: Of course.
Bramble: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
-
Atlantis: Watcher, Mist–
Aurora: Where’s Forest?
Atlantis: Outside. He took Swirl upstairs–are you okay, kid?
Aurora: …I will be.
Aurora: Chief. Give me two minutes with him.
Forest: …One minute.
Lotus: What–why are you taking the cuffs off?
Forest: So you actually have a chance.
Lotus: Wha-ah!
Aurora: I ought to knock your teeth out one at a time for what you put her through.
Lotus: Her? Oh…I understand now. You think the subject is a berry like we are. You poor naive fool-agh!
Aurora: She’s a thousand times the berry you’ll ever be!
Forest: I didn’t mention the chance was under one percent, did I?
Clyde: woof!
Forest: Didn’t think so.
Forest: That’s enough, Aurora.
Aurora: This bastard–
Forest: I know.
Aurora: She’s–
Forest: I know.
Aurora: He ought to–ought to—
Forest: I know. But this isn’t the way. I give you my word: he will pay.
Aurora: …okay. Okay.
Lotus: Agh–you–You broke my nose!
Forest: Be glad that’s all I let her break. Get up.
Forest: You look like yourself again.
Aurora: I turned your shower purple. Sorry.
Forest: Not the first time. How’re you holding up?
Aurora: Do I have to answer that?
Forest: At some point. I’ve read your report, Aurora. This went sideways on you, and that isn’t easy.
Aurora: Oh, like you’ve never had an op go belly up on you!
Forest: This isn’t about me.This is about you, and how you’re handling this. So?
Aurora: …I messed up, Chief. I promised her I’d get her out and she’s…Opal’s…
Forest: She’s with Cadence. If anyone can work a miracle, it’s her.
Aurora: You didn’t see her before you all got there. She…there might not be enough left for Cadence to save…
Forest: …Have you called your fathers?
Aurora: No. I don’t…I can’t face them. Not after this. *laugh* I promised I’d protect aliens and look what happens.
Forest: It was your first op, Aurora. No plan survives first contact.
Aurora: …Can we finish this later? I need to go see her.
Forest: Go on.
Aurora: Cay? How…how is she?
Cadence: Stabilizing. She came through surgery alright, but she’s still weak. It could be a while before she comes around.
Aurora: …this is my fault. If I’d just been faster–
Cadence: Oh, Aurora, no! No! This isn’t on you. She’s alive because of you. She’s free because you were there to make sure she got help.
Aurora: I just…
Cadence: Look, why don’t you sit with her for a while? There’s good research that people can hear you even when they’re unconscious. She’d probably appreciate a friend.
Forest: How is she?
Cadence: Which she?
Forest: Cadence.
Cadence: *sigh* Opal’s stable, but she’s bad off. To be honest, I don’t know if she’ll make it. And Aurora…she’s taking this hard. She wasn’t ready for this kind of mission.
Forest: …Deep end of the pool.
Cadence: What?
Cadence: …Oh no. I know that face. You’re about to do something I’m not going to like, aren’t you?
Forest: I have to call her fathers.
Cadence: …I’ll put on coffee.
Nebula: I swear, if that idiot has done something to Aurora–
Lemon: Claws in, Neb. Let’s just see what’s going on before we do anything.
Nebula: Hmph.
Forest: You know I can hear you, right?
Nebula: You do know that is entirely the point, yes? Where is my daughter?
Forest: Downstairs–*sigh* Thanks for coming, Lemon. Can I borrow you for a minute?
Lemon: Sure thing. Better not getting between those two anyway. You know how Neb can get.
Nebula: The guard dog, asleep on the job. How fitting.
Nebula: Oh. Oh, kiitra…
Aurora: …Dad?
Nebula: I am here. What has happened, Aurora?
Aurora: She was…they were experimenting on her. If I’d just been faster, I could have…she wouldn’t have…
Nebula: …Come here, kiitra. You did the best you can in a situation none could have expected. There is no need for this guilt.
Aurora: Daddy…
Nebula: Shh. Come–let us get you something to eat. Cadence can sit with her for a time.
Opal: …..where I am? What is this place?
??: It’s been called a lot of things over the years. Right now, it’s a sanctuary.
Opal: *gasp*
Opal: …Momma?
??: Not quite. Have a seat, dear heart. We ought to talk.
-
Opal: Who…who are you?
Astral: Call me Astral. It’s one of many names I’ve been called.
Opal: That’s your name, not who you are.
Astral: *laugh* Clever girl! Well, let’s see. We’re in a cathedral, I know who you are, and I appeared from nowhere. Can you guess?
Opal: I…
Astral: Alright, another hint: Your mother used to pray to me all the time.
Opal: –! You’re the Watcher!
Astral: Ah, she remembers! Good, good. That makes this a bit easier.
Opal: This is–you caused all of this! Everything that happened is your fault!
Astral: How do you figure?
Opal: You–you’re the Watcher! Everything that happens is your plan! The Watcher has a plan and we can’t deviate–
Astral: Is that what they teach these days? *sigh* Oh, dear heart…no. It isn’t like that at all.
Astral: This may be hard to hear, but I have no grand design for you. It is true, I created you, and your mother, and your mothers mother, and every mother before and after them, but plan? No. Never. Your lives are your own.
Opal: but…there has to be a plan. Why…why do things happen if there’s no plan? You can’t just–if there’s no plan, then…all of it happened for nothing…
Astral: Just because there is no plan doesn’t mean there is no reason behind anything, Opal. There is always a reason, even when it can’t be seen.
Opal: …*sigh* …So what now? I mean, I’m dead, right? That’s how I’m here?
Astral: You’re here because you needed rest, and because you have a decision to make.
Opal: …What?
Astral: Do you see those doors? They lead to your future. It’s up to you to decide what that future is.
Opal: What–how am I supposed to do that?!
Astral: It isn’t as complex as you think. There’s really only two options: Stay here or go back.
Astral: If you stay, I’ll wait with you until your family catches up. You’ll see your mother again, and your grandmothers are…quite impatient to meet you, though they did say to tell you not to rush.
Opal: Impatient but no rushing…right.
Opal: …And if I go back?
Astral: I don’t know. No plan means no roadmap. Anything at all could happen, and I would have no way to warn you of any of it. It could be peaceful, or dangerous. Hardships could come your way or it could be eighty years of love and joy. You have to live it to know for sure.
Opal: Oh, way to sell me on that!
Astral: *laugh* Honesty is the best policy, dear heart. Do you need some time to think it over?
Opal: No. But you…you knew that already, didn’t you?
Astral: I had hoped. All I want for you–for all of you–is a long life lived well. The best stories come from those lives.
Opal: Glad to know I’m good for entertainment. –Wait–I’m scared.
Astral: I know, dear heart. But you won’t face it alone. You have so many people who love you, all waiting for you to come back. And I will always listen, should you need to talk.
Opal: …if you see Mom before I do, could you…could you tell her I love her?
Astral: Of course. But I promise, she already knows. Now–go on. I’ll be here when you come back.
Astral: Oh, you’ll do just fine.
Opal: …mm…where…Ro?
Aurora: *gasp* Opal! Oh–oh, you’re awake! Thank Watcher, I thought–I thought you wouldn’t–
Opal: …where are we…
Aurora: Safe.
Opal: …you’re…pinker.
Aurora: *laugh* Yeah, I am! Oh…oh, hold on. Let me go get the others. You’ve missed a lot!
Cadence: Vitals are stable and picking up. Looks like you’ve cleared the worst of it, sweetie.
Nebula: Praise be to the Watcher. You worried us, kiitra fen.
Lemon: Gray hairs and everything, sugar puff.
Aurora: Opal, these are my dads, Nebula and Lemon.
Opal: …nice to meet you. …Sorry. Still foggy.
Forest: That’s why they’re here. They’ve come to take you home.
Opal: …What? I thought…isn’t it not safe?
Forest: It’s safer than here. We don’t have the means to care for you long term, Miss Crystal. Your recovery will go smoother in a proper home than here.
Opal: But…the military. Salt…can’t they…won’t they find me?
Nebula: No one will find you there unless you wish them to, kiitra fen. It is the most secure place in this town.
Forest: *sigh*
Aurora: And I’ll be there the whole time, too. I promise, they’re never going to find you again.
Opal: …okay. I’ll go.
Cadence: After she’s gotten some rest. Everyone out! You can move her tonight.
Nebula: The snow is finally beginning to let up. I was worried it would last all night as well.
Lemon: Tell me about it. I don’t think we’ve had that big a dump in years!
Nebula: Not since Aurora was a child, to be certain. Ah–the door is unlocked, kiitra.
Aurora: Well, here we are. Home sweet home.
Opal: It’s warm…mm. Sorry, still kind of…dizzy. …What’s this symbol?
Nebula: It is the symbol for the Balance, a protective art from Sixam. I can tell you more about it, if you would like?
Opal: …Maybe later?
Nebula: Of course. The room at the end of the hall is all ready for you.
Aurora: Come on–it’s this way.
Aurora: And here we are. Safest room in the house. Bathroom’s right next door and i’m right across the hall, so–hey. Hey, you okay? Is the yellow too much?
Opal: No, no, I’m–I’m sorry, it’s just a lot, and you’ve all been so nice to me, and–ugh, I’m such a crybaby!
Aurora: Hey…you’ve been through a lot, Opal. It’s okay to cry, you know. Dad always said it means we’re alive.
Opal: *sniff* I am, aren’t I….thank you. Thank you so much.
Aurora: Of course.
Aurora: Holler if you need anything, okay? Sleep well.
Aurora: Man…talk about a blast from the past…. *sniff* And they even washed the sheets!
Aurora: It’s good to be home.
*Chatter in Sixamese*
Aurora: Uh-oh. I know that tone. What’s going on?
Lemon: Ah–hey, look who found her stuff! And it still fits!
Aurora: Pop, I was only gone for two years!
Nebula: Two years too long. Sit, kiitra. We need to speak.
Nebula: That girl is as thin as an ululy and three times as fragile. What happened to her, Aurora Rose?
Lemon: Forest mentioned torture?
Aurora: It’s a….really long story.
Aurora: ….and that’s when Forest must have called you two. You know the rest after that.
Lemon: Holy Watcher…that poor girl…
Nebula: Betrayed by one who should have been her protector–kaffas! If I ever get my hands on that miserable–
Lemon: Neb, settle. We can’t go picking fights anymore. Not like this.
Nebula: Do not tell me you do not wish to do the same! If this were Aurora–
Lemon: I’d be ahead of you, slowpoke. But things are different now. We’re not who we used to be.
Aurora: Pop’s right, Dad. What Opal needs right now is safety, not…not revenge.
Nebula: And she shall have it. But you know the Balance, Aurora; what is dealt out will be returned, either by the hand of the victim or someone on their behalf. How would she feel about a proxy?
Lemon: Oh, here we go.
Aurora: Dad!
Aurora: Ugh, I hate you.
Nebula: You do not. And that was a serious question.
Aurora: Ask her yourself, you wingnut.
Lemon: Some things never change.
Lemon: I need to get started on dinner. Roro, you got any happy stories to tell us?
Aurora: Hm…oh! Oh, this one time during basic–
Aurora: And then the Sarge kicked him straight back off the ledge!
Nebula: Oh, that…that had to sting. And to think that I worried every day you were gone.
Lemon: See? I told you our Roro could handle herself.
Aurora: With guys like that? I was the smartest one in the class.
*water running*
Aurora: *quiet humming*
*barking*
Aurora: Huh–Angel! Hi, girl! Oh, I missed you! Were you good for Dad and Pop?
Nebula: She was a little hellion. *chuckle* Come, kiitra. You should rest.
Aurora: Dad, I’m not a little kid anymore. I can put myself to bed, you know.
Lemon: Maybe, but you’ll always be our little girl.
Lemon: It’s good to have you back, kiddo. We missed you.
Aurora: It was only a couple of years!
Nebula: Too long years. Get some rest, kiitra. I suspect the next days will be…interesting.
Aurora: 16 out of–439?! Are you kidding me?! I just wanted to check my emails! Come on….
Opal: …ngh…no…stop…don’t…
Opal: *gasp* Wh–oh…just….just a nightmare…just a bad dream…
*water shuts off*
Opal: …maybe not just a bad dream…
*wood creaks*
Opal: Ah, shoot–
Aurora: Hey, you’re up. Hungry?
Opal: Not really. I didn’t mean to wake you.
Aurora: You didn’t. I was still awake. You okay?
Opal: Do you have scissors? I…I’d like to cut my hair.
Aurora: Uh…yeah, I think they should be in that drawer. Hang on–I’ll give you a hand.
Aurora: You want the edges trimmed or…
Opal: Just…even if out, if you can? Please.
Aurora: Sure thing. …okay, all done. How do you feel?
Opal: …Better. Thank you.
Aurora: Sure thing. Let me make us some tea.
Opal: …Ro, can I…can I ask you a stupid question?
Aurora: Sure.
Opal: Do you think my mother would still recognize me?
Aurora: Because you cut your hair? Or…everything?
Opal: Everything. When I saw my reflection, I didn’t…really recognize myself for a minute.
Aurora: Oh, Opal…of course she will. Parents always know us.
Opal: Heh…you sound so sure.
Aurora: Of course I am. The way Dad tells it, he and Pop knew I was theirs the second they walked into the orphanage. They just…knew. Your Mom will, too. And–oh. Hey, you wanna see the sun?
Opal: …What would it take to go after Salt?
Aurora: Ah, geez…I don’t mess with the legal side of things, starshine. Cay would know more, but I think.. you’d probably have to testify against him or something? Let people know what happened to you was because of him.
Opal: …Right.
Opal: I just…I don’t want him to get away with it. Him or any one else. No one else should ever…what they did to me…
Aurora: You don’t have to explain yourself. I’m with you the whole way.
Opal: Really?
Aurora: Yeah. Always.
Opal: …then let’s do it. Let’s bring them all into the light.
Nebula: Forgive my concern, Opal, but should you not be resting? You are still healing, and your body requires sleep.
Opal: I slept for three days in the base and then half the next here. I’m tired of sleeping.
Opal: And honestly? I’m sick of the nightmares, too.
Nebula: Those may never fade, I am afraid. Many of our kind have them even years after escape or rescue.
Opal: So I’m not…this has happened before?
Nebula: Many times. The accords were a tremendous step, but such fears do not resolve themselves so quickly.
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