[center][b][sup][h1][color=white]TWILIGHT[/COLOR][/h1][/sup][/b]
[sub][color=silver][b]A N D[/b][/color][/sub]

[b][sup][h1][color=f26522]MIRAGE[/COLOR][/h1][/sup][/b][/CENTER]
[COLOR=silver][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]T H E   S A N C T U A R Y[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][sup][color=silver]July 3[sup]rd[/sup], 2020 |  Happy Harbour, Rhode Island[/color] - A post in collaboration with [@Mistress Dizzy][/sup][/INDENT][/INDENT]

Kassy inhaled. This was significant, because she'd spent the last minute or few holding her breath and being almost impossibly still. Even now, there was a little voice in her, screaming [i] dontmovedontblinkdontbreathedontbe [/i] in an overwhelming cacophony. Her fear had gotten the better of her, and in the face of both Tachyus anger and Magnus’ blind rage, she'd gone back to her old habit. The room had quieted somewhat, though, and she blinked a few times upon looking up. Only Tachyus and Juno were left. She really should just leave. But her mouth opened of its own accord.

[color=f26522] “I'm sorry. I really am, I didn't mean to be nasty! What I wanted to say was that destruction is easy, but building is hard and we're supposed to be the good guys, and I'm really sorry you were hurt, Tachyus, it could have been any of us, probably should have been me moving people away and getting hurt, and you fighting because you can [i]actually[/i] fight and- and I'm sorry.” [/color] It all came tumbling out in a torrent of words, half mumbled as she made eye contact with a speck on the ground. 

Juno was only party paying attention to Kassy, lost in thought after watching Magnus and the others leave. She had seen how enraged Magnus- no Fenrir, had been. In that moment, Magnus the man had been gone. There had only been Fenrir. The monster. Juno had looked into his eyes, saw what made someone human twist and churn into something infinitely primal and ferocious. A black hole of rage and fury, swallowing up all else. And Magnus had just barely pulled himself out of it. Perhaps if it hadn’t been for Steph, he would have lost it completely. 

And then Juno would have had to fight Fenrir. In his enraged state, it would have been incredibly daunting. Juno didn’t know what the upper-limits of Fenrir’s power were, but she feared that in his bestial state she might not have been able to subdue him without severely injuring him or worse. And in that moment, Juno hadn’t been sure if she could have done that. Not after what happened with Leo and Intergang. That kind of uncertainty was almost wholly unfamiliar to the young hero. It made her a little afraid. It made her angry. Angry that she hadn’t been able to contain the situation, angry that her resolve had been frayed. And angry that everyone else had practically abandoned training. 

The young hero was starting to think that this team they had really wasn’t one. And she began to cynically wonder when they’d rip themselves apart. If Fenrir didn’t do it first. That was the state of mind Kassy caught Juno in when the hero finally took full notice of the Atlantean and her apology. Juno only smiled ruefully and said, [b] “Sometimes we all say things we don’t mean or say things without really thinking about it. Just don’t do it again. When you’re working with strong personalities like you do in this kind of work, miscommunication kills. Literally.” [/b]

[color=f26522]“Yes. Of course. I should be  more respectful of everyone’s strength.” [/color] She still had the look of someone ready to take off running, but she picked up her head. A ghost of a smile appeared on her face. [color=f26522] “So… what was it you were going to train us on? As I’m sure you’re aware, I’m very behind everyone else. So if it’s not wasting your time to teach me, I’d like to learn.”  [/color] Tachyus’s lack of response was weighing against her mind. She was certain that this would come back later. There would be retribution. 


Juno smirked slightly and said, [b] “Well I was going to try and train everyone a bit more in team-based tactics. That was our main deficiency in the fight today. But you’d need a whole team for that and apparently bacon is more important.” [/b] Stephanie may have stopped Magnus from a rampage, but Juno couldn’t help but be disappointed in her lack of decorum. She had expected better from a protege of the Batman. Then again, Andy was little better. 

Not for the first time, Juno lamented the fact that there was a scarcity of trained professionals on the team. She’d have to change that, however long it took. She wasn’t going to let them drag her down to the B-list. Juno then said, “But since you’re here, I suppose I could teach you a bit of hand-to-hand combat. Powers are nice. But you need to know how to fight without them. Tell me, what kind of training do you have?” 

Kassy shifted from foot to foot. [color=f26522] “I have a little bit of training. The basics, don't punch with your thumb in, wrist held straight, that sort of thing. They said I'd never make it as a front line fighter, but apparently I'm good at defense. Taking blows.” [/color] An odd expression passed over her face, like a mix of humor and disgust. [color=f26522] “I can grapple, too, and use my staff as a weapon if I needed to. Honestly, the king’s tutors were far more interested in my power more than anything else.” [/color] She smiled, but there wasn't a speck of joy in the expression. [color=f26522] “I know I don't belong here. But I will try.” [/color]

Juno looked over Kassy with an appraising eye as she spoke. Not entirely hopeless then. She definitely didn’t belong here as she was. But at least she knew that and wanted to do better. That Juno could respect. Maybe they could make something out of her yet. Juno said, [b] “Well you’re better than a raw rookie then. Tachyus is probably more an expert at grappling and staff-work then I’d be, but I could definitely help you out with the fundamentals. Whatever your tutors said about it before, forget it. Anyone can be a holy terror in the right circumstances. Dinah can probably help you out further, being an MMA champion and all. But let’s get you started.” [/b] 
Juno’s hands became covered by glowing pads, and she extended them before her towards Kassy, [b] “Let me see how you hit. Go ahead, go wild.” [/b] 

Kassy sighed, looking at Juno’s hands with a moue of discomfort. She flexed and shook her hands, then formed fists. Then she punched. The form was right, she looked sturdy, and there was nothing particularly wrong with her strikes at first glance. Her form was set and very sturdy, her feet firmly planted. But as Kassy punched again and again, building rhythm, something would become very clear. Kassy was hesitating just before the point of impact, never hitting at full strength. There was concentration on her face, and she seemed to be trying. After about twenty punches, she exhaled and looked down. 
[color=f26522] “So. Tell me the worst.” [/color]

Juno replied with a thoughtful expression on her face, [b] “Not too bad Kassy. Decent power, decent speed. Room for improvement, certainly, but nothing you can’t work on. You have the basics down at least. Once we get further along, you’ll need to make sure you can be light on your feet too, not just as firm as a rock. But there is one thing. You have a… strong frame. You can hit a lot harder than that. Easily. It’s not a question of physicality. It’s a question of mentality. You’re holding yourself back. And on the topic of the mind, you’re thinking too much. Concentration is good. But you have to be able to rely on your instincts, to act quickly and decisively.” [/b] 

Juno continued, [b] “It’s a difficult balance to be sure, but one that has to be maintained. There’s no room for hesitation or doubt in a fight. You get that into your head, and it doesn’t matter how strong, or skilled, or fast you are. You’re already dead. You, your teammates, and civilians.” [/b] In some ways Juno saw a bit of herself in Kassy, from the very early days, before she had fully committed to this life. She had been hesitant at first. She had been afraid even. But she had learned and adapted quickly. She had to. And so would Kassy. 

Kassy kept her gaze down at the beginning, but slowly started to look up. It looked like she was actually taking in what Juno said.  [color=f26522] “You… you really think I can do better, don’t you?” [/color] She exhaled, slow, closing her eyes. [color=f26522]“I really don’t want to actually hurt anyone. Not even the people we fight. I suppose I’m weak like that. But at the same time, I would let myself be hurt before anyone else. So…” [/color] She stood firm again. [color=f26522] “So I just have to say that… if I don’t fight, someone I care for, someone important will suffer. I don’t like that.” [/color]  She breathed out, and indicated for Juno to raise her fists again.

Juno nodded, understanding of how Kassy felt. She had felt the same way once. Long ago. Or was it? Juno had been a hero, or trained to be one, for more than half her life, but sometimes she forget that she technically wasn’t even old enough to drink yet. Sometimes she wondered how different things would have been. Juno shrugged it off. Kassy’s confusion was bad enough. The last thing anyone needed was for one of the only veterans to be confused too. Instead Juno replied, [b] “Of course you can. Everyone can do better. You think I started off where I am now? No, I get here by hard work. Well, hard work and teaching, and really good genetics, and- but you get the point. Everyone in this business starts off somewhere, but they last because they keep working at it. So can you.” [/b] 

[b] “And I get not wanting to hurt people, even villains. It’s part of the code that people like Kal-El and those in his generation instilled in us. But that code also means being able to do what’s necessary to protect the people. If a hero can help it, then nobody needs to get hurt. But if they have to, make sure it’s them before you or those you’re protecting. That’s the dedication that the world needs to be protected. It’s the sacrifice that we need to make, our own comfort and our own trepidations, that we need to give up in order to protect them.” [/b] Those were words that Juno had heard from her mother, and others from the old guard all her life. She believed in them. Perhaps Kassy would too. 
 
[color=f26522]“Okay. Okay. I can do this.”[/color] She started up, the same as before. But now she was focused, and she knew it was just the same. Her mind started in. Weakling. Failure.  Her hands faltered, almost losing the rhythm. You don’t belong here. Give up. Go home. Someone worthy should have your place. Her strikes were starting to get stronger, but her hands were shaking. Why did you ever think you could do this? She was right. She was right! You should have just-

Kassy inhaled and struck at full force, hissing as she executed a neat one-two, stepping back and weaving away from an invisible strike, then hitting again, hard.[color=f26522] “She’s wrong…” [/color] There was something dark in her eyes, and there was a sudden absence of hesitation in her movement. 

Juno’s eyes widened in surprise as she blocked the punches from striking her right in the face, just barely. She had sensed that something wasn’t quite right with Kassy. But now it was undeniable. Kassy was somewhere else, and it wasn’t a nice place. Internally, Juno sighed. The second time in less than half an hour where one of her teammates was having a freakout. Another part of her was curious. Curious where this was coming from. Who is the she, Kassy was talking about? 

The rest of her was concerned. Kassy may have been the least dangerous member of the team, but living among metahumans had taught Juno that even the most unassuming metas could still be more lethal than a rifle company. She couldn’t underestimate Kassy. Especially when she wasn’t in her right mind. Who knew what she could and would do?

Juno dodged Kassy’s next strike and raised her hands, keeping her voice calm and steady, remembering everything they had taught her in the academy about calming an unhinged assailant, [b] “Kassy, it’s me Juno. It’s ok. Nobody’s going to hurt you. It’s going to be ok. I need you to calm down. Relax. Talk to me.” [/b] Juno kept her stance relaxed, watching Kassy’s eyes, finding something utterly unlike the meek Atlantean she knew in them. Juno just hoped Kassy would snap out of it before she’d be forced to restrain her.

Kassy hit again and again, and then blinked several times. The cool, glassy look in her eyes cleared. It seemed she wasn’t nearly as far gone as Fenrir had gotten. [color=f26522] “Juno? Why are you looking at me like...“ [/color] The look on Juno’s face, somewhere between concern and aggravation, combined with her stinging fists, let Kassy know what had happened. She stumbled back, horrified. [color=f26522] “Oh no… oh -” [/color] She clapped both hands over her mouth, but not before letting slip something profane in Atlantean. There was pure shame written all over her face, like she’d been caught naked. [color=f26522] “I didn’t… I didn’t hurt you, did I? I- I’m sorry! This is… this is why I don’t…” [/color] She looked like she was about ready to burst into tears, but they went unshed. Instead, she stood very firm and straight, as if talking to a superior. [color=f26522]“Juno, I appreciate your taking the time to look after me. I apologize for any…” [/color] She paused, searching for a word. [color=f26522]“Outbursts you had to endure.” [/color] The formal tone of her voice deflated into a nervous whisper. [color=f26522] “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” [/color]

Juno felt a number of different emotions, but the only one she let form on her face was one of concern, [b] “No you didn’t hurt me Kassy. I had a good teacher. Just like you did too apparently.” [/b] Juno tried to smile, make light of it like how Andy or Steph would have. But it wouldn’t work and Juno knew it. [b] “I’m fine. Really. But are you ok? Do you want to talk about it?” [/b] This kind of counseling was really not Juno’s forte, but she figured she’d have a better shot of it then Tachyus at any rate. And damned if she’d let this night deteriorate any further. 

A brief chuckle escaped Kassy, a laugh half-forced just as much as Juno’s ‘joke’ had been. “Am I okay? No, not in the least. I appreciate your wanting to comfort me, but,” She stared at her stinging hands. “You wouldn’t understand. You’d say something pithy and safe, and pat me on the back and that’s all very nice, but I really don’t want to drag you down into... “ She gestured to herself, unable to find a word for it. “Just tell me - did I say anything this time?” 

Honestly, Kassy’s directness was pretty refreshing for Juno in that regard. She was a liability but at least she knew it and had no illusions about it. Juno could see she didn’t need babying like some other young heroes might have. She needed confidence and directness. That’s what she’d get then. Juno replied, [b] “All I heard was you saying ‘She’s wrong’, until you came back.” [/b] Juno didn’t say anything, waited for Kassy to speak. If she elaborated then she would. No point in needling her. As she looked at Kassy, how obviously distressed she was, how guilty and ashamed she was of coming close to hurting somebody, Juno saw another reminder of her past in the young Atlantean. And she didn’t like it. 

[color=f26522] “I see.” [/color] She exhaled, pushing her hands through her hair. [color=f26522] “Well, she said I was dangerous and that I would be the death of someone, so…” [/color] She shrugged, something brutal and bitter sliding into her tone. [color=f26522] “She is wrong. For now, anyway.” [/color] A tiny teardrop hit her bare foot. [color=f26522] “..damn everything. I am… going to compose myself, and then I am going to find out what bacon is. I’ll thank you for your tact and silence about this. Unless I do that again, in which case, do what you must.” [/color] She nodded and then turned as the discussion was very much over, and took off striding quickly down the hall. To her credit, she made it into her room before crumbling, leaning against her door as she started to cry.