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Constellations (Worm/Okami)

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Chapter 50
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    Taylor walked down the cobblestone path to the entrance of the shrine, having spotted a couple of visitors loitering around just outside the torii. It was a pair of young Asian women, and what about them had been so curious as to make Taylor come greet them personally was that both were dressed in kimonos. Taylor had needed first to check her calendar, wondering for a panic-stricken second if there was some appointment she had or a ceremony she was supposed to be performing today, but no. Still, that left it a bit of a mystery why someone would show up to the Pawprint Shrine in formal dress. Taylor slowed down as she approached the gate, and the pair looked up to watch her.

    "Good afternoon. Welcome to Pawprint Shrine. Is there anything I may help you with?"

    "Oh! Hello," said one of the girls. Now that she was closer, Taylor could see that the girls were likely twins, a suspicion bolstered by their matching outfits and growing smiles. Something about their expressions kind of reminded Taylor of that villain Tattletale, but she couldn't quite put her finger on why. "We were just passing by. What did you call this place?"

    "This is the Pawprint Shrine. It's a literal pawprint, there's a sign just outside the torii." Taylor paused. Hopefully that didn't sound rude, like she was telling them to go away? Better step up the hospitality, just in case. "Please, would you like to come in? My office is warm and, while I'm afraid I don't have anything formal prepared, I would be happy to offer you tea."

    "How thoughtful!" The second of the girls smiled a bit wider. "Thank you for inviting us in."

    "It is my pleasure. My name is Taylor Hebert, by the way; please, follow me."

    Taylor settled the twins ("Call me Kumiko." "And Yumiko!") onto some pillows and fetched a fresh pot of tea. The girls were quite interested in the Shrine and Taylor was happy to answer their questions, and chat amicably with them about various anecdotes and the effort she and Sunny had gone through to restore the place. The pot of green tea was about half finished when Sunny started barking outside, announcing her return from her latest errands (or squirrel chase, one or the other). The twins immediately stiffened.

    "Is that a dog I hear?"

    "You never said anything about a dog."

    "We don't like dogs."

    "You'll get rid of it, right, gracious host?"

    "Oh, that's Sunny," Taylor smoothly cut in, pointedly ignoring the request. "I told you about her already. She runs this shrine with me."

    As if summoned by her name, the doorknob rattled (causing the girls to tense up even further, ears perking at the sound) and eventually Sunny got the door open. Taylor made a mental note to wash the dog slobber off of the knob. It was a small sacrifice to pay for the security of Sunny not having hands. The wolf sauntered inside, kicked the door shut behind her, then turned to eye up the twins. One doggy eyebrow peaked.

    The two girls both made an awkward squeaking noise, their dark eyes wide and fixed on Sunny.

    "O-oh... that's..."

    "I s-see..."

    Don't worry, she's harmless!" Taylor said, glancing back and forth between Sunshine and the twins. Kumiko (or was it Yumiko?) gave a short bark of a laugh.

    "Harmless! Of course. Yes. So... this is... you run this shrine with... her?"

    "Ah, yes... we've worked really hard on it, and on making this a safe and neutral place to be." Sunny grinned. "Sunny, get over here please! You're scaring them."

    "Oh, no no no, it's fine! She's fine. She can do as she pleases." Yumiko (or Kumiko) swallowed the rest of her tea in one gigantic gulp, her sister quickly following her example. Both twins set down the empty cups and then stood. "Well! Thank you for hosting us, Miko, it was delightful but we really must be going."

    "Yes we're quite busy these days."

    "Very busy."

    Taylor blinked at the sudden change, but stood up as well. "Of course. I'll see you out, then."

    "Ah, yes. Very gracious of you, thank you... ah," said one of the twins, glancing back at Sunny before refocusing on Taylor, "Though, I do have a question, if you do not mind?"

    "Of course, what do you need?"

    "You said this was a... 'neutral place,' yes?" At Taylor's nod, the girl continued, "So... you wouldn't mind if we told a few friends about this place?"

    "Of course. Everyone is welcome so long as they obey the rules." Both girls finally smiled at her. They made their goodbyes as Taylor escorted them back towards the torii.

    "Sunny," Taylor murmured as she and the wolf watched the sisters start down the sidewalk away from the Shrine, "I don't suppose you could explain why those two had fox tails, could you?"

    Beside her, Sunny adopted a guileless expression. Taylor snapped at her, "Oh, don't act innocent, I know where you were looking!"

    Sunny sneezed, protesting her innocence. Taylor glowered and settled her hands on her hips. They really hadn't seemed like capes, so... "Is this... more of your business? The, uh, special business?"

    Sunny actually shrugged, which was honestly not what Taylor was expecting. It certainly seemed like Sunny Business though. Maybe it just wasn't intentional Sunny Business...? Taylor started to consider the idea, but the sound of the phone ringing in her office quickly pushed all thoughts of the twins into the 'Worry About It Later' pile. Taylor quickly moved back inside to answer it, Sunny close on her heels.

    "Pawprint Shrine, how may I--"

    "Heeeey, Brushstroke!" Velocity's voice answered her, too quick to even let her finish her greeting. "I don't suppose you have some spare time, like, right now?"

    "Uh, well I don't have anything going on, why do y--"

    "Great! Can we send a car to pick you up and take you to the Rig? There's somebody who really wants to talk to you and we're kinda in a hurry."

    Taylor glanced at the clock, mentally tabulating how much traffic would be on the roads this time in the afternoon. "If it's that urgent, Sunny and I could come there ourselves. Just give us fifteen--" Sunny sneezed, the wolf almost looking insulted. "--Five minutes."

    "Uh, sure. That'd work. I'm sure the boss won't mind. Ah, we'll be on the helipad at the top of the building, I'll send someone down to the entry level to let you in the elevator, alright?"

    "Got it, see you soon." Taylor hung up the phone, then turned to Sunny. "I don't know what this is about, but... well, what's your plan, Sunshine?"

    Sunny smirked. It was an alarming expression, but Taylor didn't react fast enough to keep the wolf from grabbing her long skirts with her teeth and tossing the girl up onto her back. The wolf at least had the courtesy to let Taylor, now perched astride her furry back, open and close the door for Sunny rather than the wolf opting to just go out the window. And then they were off.

    Really off. Taylor yelped and clung to the wolf's furry ruff as Sunny accelerated into a blistering pace. They tore across the city, Sunny's paws leaving stray blades of grass and fallen leaves in her wake when all sense of normality dictated she should have merely been kicking up clumps of ice and snow. The trend held when, after racing through the Lord's Market and scattering shoppers to the four winds, Sunny jumped straight into the waters of the Bay-- or rather, onto the waters, as lilypads formed under her paws just long enough to keep the wolf from sinking into the briny depths or, worse, getting her feet wet. It was around this point that Taylor started screaming.

    "You could do this the whole time and you've been making me bike around the city?!"

    Bark!

    "I know the exercise is good for me, that's not the point!"

    Wooooo~!

    "Will you please just pick a super power and stick with it?!" Taylor got the distinct impression that the wolf was laughing at her, but her chance to retort was wiped away by Sunny's sudden change of direction when they reached the Rig proper. Instead of running along the water, Sunny started running up the support column on her way to the first level deck. Taylor gripped the wolf's fur until her knuckles turned white.

    Sunny hopped up over the railing not far from a rather concerned-looking Triumph, who as the newest member of the local Protectorate had again been assigned the unwanted duty of Dealing with Sunny. He jerked a bit at the wolf's sudden appearance, then ran forward towards them as Taylor slid bonelessly from Sunny's back.

    "I take it back. I'm fine with the bicycle."


    * * *


    Triumph escorted the pair up to the helipad, on the highest level of the Protectorate's Rig, without really explaining what Taylor had been called here for. She was actually getting a bit nervous, on top of the gut-clenching ride she'd just experienced, and Taylor kept one hand firmly buried in Sunny's mane. The whup-whup-whup of an active helicopter got louder and louder until Triumph led them onto the tarmac proper, and Taylor finally realized who had requested her presence.

    Kayden was standing several meters away, talking to Velocity as a uniformed PRT agent was taking the woman's few suitcases away and loading them onto the helicopter. Standing with them was a stocky boy Taylor didn't recognize, but as he was holding a fussing Aster and trying to soothe the infant Taylor assumed Kayden must have trusted him. Soon the woman noticed Taylor's bright red shirt and she turned to wave at her and Sunny, the smile on the mousy woman's face making her look years younger. Taylor glanced back at Triumph for an approving nod, then headed towards Kayden and her companions. Taylor couldn't help but notice that it looked like they'd both dressed in a hurry-- and it was hard not to stare at the thick ankle bracelet now adorning Kayden's leg. Taylor put on a smile anyway and Kayden returned it.

    "Taylor! I'm glad you came! I wanted to say goodbye," Kayden spoke in a rush, the excited smile never leaving her face. "The Protectorate is taking us and my stepson out of Brockton Bay. We're finally getting out of the Empire."

    "That's wonderful!" Taylor enthused, and Sunny barked in approval. Kayden took a moment to rub Sunny's ears, and the wolf's tail wagged. If the Protectorate was escorting Purity in a helicopter and not a van marked for the Birdcage, then it could only mean good things for the now ex-Nazi. Hopefully getting out of Brockton would make turning her life around easier. Taylor was certain, going by the bracelet, that the Protectorate intended to make sure of it. "I'm happy for you, Kayden. You'll be good, won't you?"

    "Aha, I guess I'm going to try! But I wanted to say goodbye, Taylor, and thank you and Sunny. We couldn't have done this without you." Kayden smiled, but now the expression was sad, and almost pained. "I really couldn't have, I think."

    Before Taylor could say anything else, Kayden dug into a pocket with one hand, and reached for Taylor with the other. "Here. I want you to have this."

    Kayden took Taylor's hand and deposited in it a necklace, and not a cheap one. Golden filigree wrapped around a string of pearls in an ostentatious display of wealth greater than Taylor had ever known in her life. "This... my ex-husband gave it to me, when we got engaged. I don't want to hold onto it anymore. So-- pawn it, and buy yourself something nice, okay? Oh, and Sunny too!"

    Sunny barked, Kayden waved one land time, and turned to take Aster from the unfamiliar teen's arms. He didn't say anything, but he looked towards Taylor and nodded. His expression in that moment was guarded, but by now Taylor thought she was pretty good at recognizing hope. She smiled, and nodded back to him.

    Triumph led her and Sunny away as Velocity did the same for Kayden and her children, and Taylor said goodbye to a maybe-friend as the city said goodbye to one of its most feared villains. Taylor hoped her new life worked out for Kayden. She really did. Taylor patted the necklace, now in her skirt's deep pocket, and nearly ran into Sunny's nose. The wolf wagged her tail slowly, then poked her snout again where the necklace was. Taylor understood.

    "Into the box, huh? So much for pawning it... but that's alright." Taylor reached down and rubbed Sunny's ears. "But we're taking a car back to the Shrine."


    * * *


    The PRT was happy enough to give them a ride back to the Shrine's neighborhood-- and likely even more happy that Sunny wasn't going to cause a scene by running through the city at mach 3—and Taylor had them drop her and Sunny off a couple blocks from the Shrine proper. They followed the pawprint sidewalk back home, and basked in the cold but pleasant evening. It had been a busy day. But, Taylor reflected as they passed under the torii, and saw a figure waiting near the closed office, it wasn't over yet. Taylor started to smile and call out to the visitor, but when they turned around her greeting died in her throat.

    Emma Barnes turned around at the sound of footsteps and clicking paws, and stared at Taylor as she approached. Taylor even stepped off the path, giving the other girl a wide berth as she retreated further into the Shrine's grounds, until Sunny stopped her by giving her skirts a gentle tug with her teeth. The two girls stared at each other in silence. Emma was a lot like the last time Taylor had seen her in Winslow-- run ragged, exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes. One thing had changed, however-- Emma's hair had been cut short again. Very short, with the ends uneven as though she'd done it herself. Taylor hadn't seen Emma's hair that short since...

    "Emma. What are you doing here?" It was not time for courtesy. Courtesy couldn't mask a wound this raw.

    Emma licked her chapped lips, swallowed once, then said, "I just-- had to tell you something."

    "What is it?" Taylor asked. Her hand found Sunny's head and gripped the fur of her neck for support.

    "I hate you, Taylor."

    "..."

    "You-- you ruin everything you touch. You're so needy. Nobody-- almost nobody actually likes you. You're always clinging to the past. You're the worst. I hate you!"

    Taylor was silent for a long moment, staring at her old friend. "If that's true, then... why are you crying?"

    She was. Great, heaving sobs that wracked her frame with every breath. Emma's scowl was a grimace of pain and she was crying, helpless and marred by flushed cheeks and a streaming nose. Emma bowed her head for a moment, her newly-shortened hair brushing against her face. When she straightened, she dug a hand into her pocket and held something out to Taylor.

    "I... I never want to see you again. We're through, Taylor."

    Taylor reached out her hand one last time, and took the offering. "...goodbye, Emma."

    She waited and watched Emma leave the Shrine before looking down at her hand, and what Emma had given her. It was a pair of cheap plastic earrings. She recognized them; when they were young, she and Emma had gotten their ears pierced together. Once they'd healed, they'd carefully cleaned the jewelry and traded them. Taylor had long since lost or thrown away the pair she'd gotten from Emma, but it seemed that Emma had kept hers.

    Sunny snuffled at her hand, and Taylor gripped the earrings into a fist so tight she felt the posts stabbing her palm. "These? Even these, Sunny?"

    The wolf had the grace to look ashamed, but she butted her nose against Taylor's clenched fist again.

    Taylor squeezed her eyes shut, and lowered herself by feel onto the cold stones of the path. Sunny laid down beside her. "Just... give me a little while. Okay?"

    It hurt. It hurt a lot, even after all this time. Emma was a wound that would scar. But maybe that pain could finally start to heal. Taylor hoped so.

    She had finally gotten to say goodbye.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • Yay it's back!
    Visited by Kitsune hoping to make trouble, only for them to be intimidated by Sunny is great, even if they did wind up able to invite more Yokai to the shrine. Kayden is finally off and gave her offering. I confess I'm not terribly satisfied if this is actually the end of Emma, since I thought it was setting up for a redemption arc, but it's still well resolved. I wonder which animals she and Kayden represented.
     
    Were those kitsune or nogitsune? One would be bad for the foxes. The other would be like vampires getting invited into a house only to see the Pope eating tea and biscuits.
     
    StoneSaint said:
    Yay it's back!
    Visited by Kitsune hoping to make trouble, only for them to be intimidated by Sunny is great, even if they did wind up able to invite more Yokai to the shrine. Kayden is finally off and gave her offering. I confess I'm not terribly satisfied if this is actually the end of Emma, since I thought it was setting up for a redemption arc, but it's still well resolved. I wonder which animals she and Kayden represented.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Some people don't want to be redeemed. Some scars are too severe to forget. And some betrayals are simply unforgivable.
     
    I'll admit that I'm curious what friends they are planning on bringing back.

    Hopefully more pious ones that actually bring offerings Dog It!
     
    Huh. Emma firmly tried to cut that branch off. I wonder why? And what Granny will say about that?
     
    And then the Pawprint Shrine ended up like the Hakurei Shrine from Touhou, hosting Youkai and other good or not so good neighbors.
     
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