Tying Up Loose Ends

[Your Mom~]

(This takes place shortly after the Call to War Briefing. Olesya prepares for the fight that may very well be her last).
------


Once dismissed from the Coliseum, Olesya took off for Dragon Territory. She used the gift granted to her by the Skyforce jacket to take to the sky as a faster means of travel. After receiving the summons, Olesya had left Maddie in Youichi's care just as she had every day she had to work. But today would not be like the rest.

She landed just outside her house, skipping up the steps before stopping in her tracks as she heard giggling around back. Youichi and Maddie were outside, trying to catch a butterfly. Olesya's chest tightened at the innocent scene juxtaposed to what she was about to introduce to it. She jogged up to them, scooping up her little girl as Maddie caught sight of her.

"Mommy!"

"You're home early."

Youichi could tell something was happening.

"Ku ehceta yht bylg. Fa'na crygehk dra runhad'c hacd."

She instructed Youichi, who turned and retreated to the house while Olesya turned her attention to Maddie. She set the young girl down, crouching down to her level.

"Maddie, I need you to listen to me. I'm going to be going on a very important mission. Yu-yu is going to take you to the safe house and look out for you. I don't want you to leave her side, not even for a single second. Do you understand me?"

"But why? Mommy..?"

Maddie's voice rose in pitch slightly, her eyes widening. Olesya forced herself to smile a bit, petting the girl's hair before both hands returned to her shoulders.

"It's just a very important thing I need to do, and I want to make sure you are kept safe."

"Are you coming back?"

Olesya bit her tongue, stopping herself from giving her daughter a promise she couldn't keep. Instead, she stood up and gently pushed her toward the back door.

"Come on, let's go inside and get your stuff."

She allowed Maddie to take her stuffed animal, the earthen unicorn, and two books to occupy her mind. They didn't have enough time or space to take every single little thing. Olesya packed Maddie's clothes while Youichi moved about the house packing her own bag and provisions. Once she was packed, Olesya took the bag into the main hallway. She set it down, grabbing Maddie's utility belt from behind the door and bending down to put it on her.

"You need to wear this, and remember everything that Yu-yu, David, and I taught you. If you don't know who someone is, run away. Stay with Youichi at all times, never leave her sight. Not for a single second, promise me that."

"But Mommy-"

"Promise me."

"...I promise."

"Thank you sweetheart. Now go sit on the couch with Bearybear. We'll be leaving soon."

Olesya grabbed a paper and pen from Maddie's little school desk.

Last Living Will and Testament - Olesya Van deBogart

In the matter of my death, I grant all custody and guardianship of Madelyn Grace Van deBogart to godmother Youichi-

Olesya looked up to where the assassin was packing canned goods from the cupboards.

"Youichi?"

The assassin paused, looking to Olesya. She didn't need to read the words on the paper to know what it was she was doing.

"Amasuga.

She replied solemnly, giving Olesya the vital piece of information that she did not grant anyone. The only other person besides Olesya who knew this bit of information was David. Olesya pressed her lips together, giving Youichi a meaningful look before returning to her paper.

-Amasuga and godfather Augustus Ronshield. All of my property, valuables, finances, and worldly possessions will be held by these two individuals in support of this child until she reaches the age of eighteen on April 17th 20XX. Then all remaining possessions will thusly be given to her.

On this day.

Olesya signed and dated the document, bringing it to Youichi to sign and date as well as her witness. Youichi then folded up the paper and tucked it safely in her pocket. She then looked at Olesya for a moment before stepping forward and hugging her forcefully. Olesya returned the gesture, feeling her eyes sting as the reality hit her. She swallowed her emotions, needing to remain strong for her daughter.

She turned back to where Maddie was sitting on the couch, clutching her bear and looking incredibly nervous.

"Maddie-"

The young girl vaulted from the couch, crossing the living room and throwing herself at Olesya with all the force a little ten year old could. She started to cry.

"Pleasedon'tgopleasedon'tgo...Mommy p-please don't go."

Olesya crouched back down, petting the girl's head and wrapping her in her arms.

"Shhh, hunny, it's okay. It will be okay. Everything is going to be fine. Youichi is going to make sure you stay safe, just make sure you stay with her at all times."

"But I want you to come with us. C-come with us please."

"I can't baby girl. I have a job to do, a job to make sure you and everyone else here stay safe. You understand that, right?"

She held her daughter for a couple minutes, fighting the tears in her eyes as Maddie cried into her chest. The young girl kept trying to get Olesya to promise she'd return, to promise she'd come back, but Olesya just bit her lip, unable to give such a promise. She would never lie to her daughter, nor would she give her a promise she couldn't keep.

"It's time to go."

Olesya said softly, picking Maddie up and carrying her in her arms. Youichi picked up and carried the bags. One for Maddie, one of supplies, and one for herself. They'd be retreating to one of the underground bunkers, there wasn't enough time to get to the island. Soon the alarms would sound, the very same ones they used to use to indicate a tornado warning. It was the alarm for the civilians to take shelter and for the few remaining soldiers to reinforce the borders. She wanted to give Youichi and Maddie a head start.

She set her daughter down outside, wrapping her in one last big hug. She planted kisses on both of her cheeks and forehead, hugging her tightly.

"I love you so very much, and I'm so proud of you. Never ever ever forget that."

"I love you too mommy, please don't go. Please! Please!"

It was no use. If she were a weaker woman, she would hole up underground clinging to her daughter until this all blew over. But if she didn't give herself to this cause, there was a good chance that it wouldn't just all blow over, and if she wanted to secure a safe world for her daughter, she needed to go. She needed to do this.

"I'll eat all my vegetables. I'll go to bed early! I'll do all my chores without you asking me just please, please!"

"Madelyn, that's enough. You're a good girl, I couldn't ask for a better daughter, not in the entire world. But I need to go to work and make sure the world is safe for you. I'm doing this for you baby girl,"

She kissed her daughter on the forehead, wiping the tears from her eyes with her thumb. Olesya held her cheeks in her hands, smiling sadly down at her pride and joy.

"Be strong for me, okay? Take care of Mister Bear. I love you so much."

"Loveyoutoo..."

Maddie mumbled, hugging Olesya tight again. She wrapped her arms around her, rubbing her back before taking her by the shoulders and pushing her back so she could look at her.

"And be good. Or all you'll eat is vegetables forever!"

That elicited a watery laugh from the little girl. She hugged her bear tight to her chest, setting her jaw and trying to be strong just like Olesya had asked. God, she was so proud of that girl. It made her heart hurt. She wanted nothing more than to return to that smiling bright face, but she needed to accept the reality of her mission. She needed to tie up loose ends.

Youichi stepped forward, taking Maddie by the hand and leading her toward the safe house. Olesya turned and returned to the house, making final preparations. She loaded her own belt with supplies she'd need on the field, and left her house...hopefully not for the final time.

[David B.]

As Olesya opened the door....

David stood there.

His eyes were on hers from the moment she opened it, and he licked his lips, clearing his throat after.

"We're...we're leaving soon. Heading for the facility. I wanted to...come and say goodbye."

He looked down at the ground before gesturing in the direction youichi and Maddie went in.

"Said goodbye to Maddie. Shes a strong girl."

He had his hands on a letter...and was shifting it back and forth across his palm, unsure of himself now that he was actually there. Did she...want him there? Did she want him to go without saying anything? He bit his lip a moment, then handed the letter over.

"This...is the deed to this house. It's been signed over and put in your name. Nobody can ever say, including yourself, that your living at the Storm Dragons old place. Its yours, now."

Yeah...what seemed to be a parting gift.

[Your Mom~]

Olesya was definitely taken aback when she opened the door. With all the high tension she almost struck out, but luckily her subconscious recognized the form standing in front of her before her conscious did. She breathed in sharply, not quite a gasp, but certainly a gesture of surprise.

She listened to him speak, pressing her lips together. She hated that he had come to say goodbye, it was something she was trying to avoid at all costs. She just had to write her own will at 25, having to say goodbye as well was too...final.

She looked at him a moment as he held out the envelope for her. She took in his eyes, his hair, the shape of his jawline. Standing before her was the boy she'd followed in high school. Who had been her leader, her mentor, her crush....at least until he'd up and disappeared. She didn't see him again until she was out of her mind on the chemicals Barker had injected her with. Even still, seeing his face and hearing him say her name sparked a memory, which resulted in her complete memory return. They'd parted ways for another couple years before subsequently reuniting on the edge of Crow territory. He played an key role in her life, and reuniting was not by coincidence.

This was simply another break. Their paths would cross again.

Olesya took the envelope, looking down at it for only a second before pressing it into his chest, her palm flat against his torso.

"This is your house. I will only ever agree to share it with you."

She frowned, looking from the envelope and her hand to his face, drinking in his gaze.

"I won't say goodbye, David. This is only 'see you later.'"

She said pointedly, pursing her lips ever so slightly and narrowing her gaze in a determined fashion. She wanted to just drop the envelope and throw her arms around his neck, but there was no place for vulnerability with war on the horizon. David had told her he needed his space, and she had given it to him. Granted, she had been more than cold the last few days, but she was hurting. Like with Maddie, she would love nothing more than to just take him and Maddie and run far away, or go back in time to before things went wrong. But she knew that without her and David, the attack would be at a great disadvantage, they would be doing the world a disservice. They needed to do this.

She knew the likelihood of them both returning was not good. She couldn't afford to think about it though.

[David B.]

David would take the envelope, slowly, from under her hand- but he walked forward so her palm would be pressed against his chest. This was for two things: One, he wanted her to feel his heart thrumming beneath his chest. And second, so he could use the wind to carry the envelope between her legs and leave it on her bed. She would have it whether she wanted it or not.

"Les...I-"

He looked down at her hand, staring at it, a painful knot in his chest as he turned his gaze back up to hers. He wanted to say so much...but it seemed there was no time. He couldn't help but clench his teeth and sigh, giving a small smile after. Why burden her with the knowledge that...that he may die? That they all may die? He would slowly back away, if she let him.

"Your right. I...should go, I guess."

[Your Mom~]

Olesya felt the slight rush of air between her legs, she wasnt stupid. He was probably pullinh some slick move to get his way anyeay, in many ways he was as stubborn as she was. However. She wasnt going to dwell on the subject, they could have this discussion when they got home. And if neither of them returned? Well, then the discussion wouldnt be happening then, would it?

'Les, I-'

Her chest tightened. He clearly wanted to say something, but the both knew the reality of the situation. When he moved to step back, her hand instinctively clenched, balling up some of his shirt in her hand. There was so much she wanted to say, too. Aftet a moment, she releases his shirt, dropping her habd and letting hin back away.

"Knock em dead."

Her voice was rough, full of unexpressed emotion.

"See you later."

Whether that later was here or in the next life, she knew their paths would cross again. It was as it always had been, and always will be.

[David B.]

David would watch her, eyes liquid, as she clenched his shirt. He would nod and clear his throat.

"Just....promise me one thing."

He would look around a moment.

"Wear the coat. Promise me you'll wear it during the battle."

[Your Mom~]

What an odd request. Of all the things, the coat? She looked down at herself, the white material draped over her shoulders.

"Of course. But I dont see why-"

(Ooc. Short from phone sry)

[David B.]

David would stare into her eyes, and once she acknowledged it would cut her off.

"The only important thing is that you wear it. Don't forget. I'll...see you later, Les."

He would turn and take two steps before taking to the sky. Her knowing he may not return would hopefully spur her into keeping it on...as it may save her life someday. He knew she didn't know that...but she would, if things went south.

[Your Mom~]

Olesya sighed, watching him take to the sky. Sometimes...that man made her head hurt. For as well as she knew him, times like this made her wonder if she even knew him at all.

"See you later."