76 Make It Right - Part 1
"You killed us!"
"What did you do?"
"I thought we were family!"
"I knew this would happen. You took them away… I hate you!"
Lera tried to cover her ears. To protect herself from the voices. They told her it was her fault and she knew it. She pressed the button. She was going to kill her friends.
The small dark room around her was covered in blood. Earlier she tried to claw at the walls like the monster she was. Even trying to run away, but the door wouldn't open.
"I know! It's all my fault!" She screamed, then the voices went silent.
She was finally alone. Lera was finally able to think again. Once she did she regretted it.
She was alone…
Alone…
Alone!
"Ahhh!" Lera sat up in a fright. Looking around she found herself in her void home. The couch, her old bed… she rubbed her right hand on it for comfort. Her head was a little fuzzy, but she started to remember.
Lera knew she was tricked into killing her friends, but that didn't stop her from shivering and holding herself close.
"I tried to kill my family…" Tears formed in her eyes. At this point she saw two pairs of feet in front of her. Looking up, Byyuan and Paroppe were there. Just showing smiles with tears at the edge of Paroppe's eyes. "I'm so sorry!" Lera reached out to them. She didn't want to lose them and needed them so she wouldn't lose her mind.
---
After fifteen minutes of completely crying, Byyuan and Paroppe eventually got Lera to calm down and talk to them.
Byyuan had prepared a meal with the supplies Ayanni and Jev had gotten. With everything that had gone on, Ayanni had only recently remembered he could still create anything he wanted in his room, so they no longer had to go out and get anything.
For the past four days, Lera would wake up, stare at nothing before falling back asleep. When she did sleep, it was nightmares where she blamed herself and lashed out. Today though, she was lucid enough to talk to them.
Ayanni still did mention that letting Lera be the first one to talk about the incident was best. Byyuan had to agree. When something was bothering her children, never to this degree though, Sarussi would just talk about trivial things until her children spoke up. There was one time that backfired and she hoped that it wouldn't repeat here.
---
Ayanni and Jev were off to the side in the kitchen watching over them. It was nice having Jev on Lera's side for good now. She was starting to build up the courage to tell him and Ayanni the truth about what happened on her trip.
But now she was just calmly talking to Lera.
"Would you like a drink, Lera? Ayanni was going to make smoothies." She was loud enough for him to hear, but calm enough to not scare Lera.
As she watched her sister look down at the carpet and nod, Paroppe signed out of relief. As her brother and Ayanni got to work, she and Byyuan were just keeping a casual conversation going.
"I was thinking we could watch something… What would you want to watch, Byyuan?" She asked him.
"I've only seen a little bit of it and I've heard about it a little from Lera, but Sparkling Gate sounds like a great one to watch!"
"That does sound like the perfect thing to watch. My brother hasn't had time to watch it, so I think going through it again for you two would be perfect a great idea. What do you think of Lera."
The despair was gone on Lera's face and replaced with an awkward smile. That was a great start. After confirmation with a nod, they set up the TV in the living room to play the first season. They watched it all over the course of a few days, breaking it into chunks to play some card games and rest. There was always someone up and watching Lera in the meantime. Just so she never had to be alone.
---
"I can't believe I missed that last time. Remember that scene where Miraintle was walking past the Everelttie Café? Ithicav was sitting there drinking tea staring at her. That detail was so small, yet they planned that far ahead. Amazing.
On the first night of their watching session, where Ayanni was quietly talking to Lera about the show. Byyuan and Jev slept in Ayanni's room and Paroppe alone in her own room.
"She stole their memories, right?"
"Yea, Miraintle and Bakaryi's. I can't wait to see if they have any more of those details later. You never finished the series right?"
"No, I did…" She had missed some episodes when they were in Hapho in the later seasons. After their time in Hapho ended that month, Ayanni, Paroppe, and Lera never finished it. "… with Rozaa."
"Paroppe and I, did when we got back together. It's great we can watch it again." Ayanni was trying to be cheerful and gentle with Lera.
---
The next night after that, Byyuan was with Lera. They… Byyuan just talked. Lera listened to everything. She didn't feel like it was her place to talk. Those nightmares continued to happen regardless of how much she wanted to sleep. Just to be gone with nothing and hope it would all be better when she woke up.
Unfortunately, it didn't work like that.
---
"This series is amazing. I really missed out… Ah, well that was my fault. If I wasn't so stuck up, I could have joined you all on that trip." Both Lera and Jev were nervous. "I'm sorry for the way I acted towards you."
He had been on a roll admitting his mistakes. It made him feel good to do that, but also made him feel embarrassed, but that is just a small part of it.
"But you were right all along! I tried to kill you all and I… broke down. I'm so sorry." As Lera started to break down that night, Jev stood up and put his hand on her shoulder.
"We are alive, not dead. We weren't hurt too bad. Scratches at most. This isn't your fault. All of us liked this vacation, even if it turned out badly at the end there. A single moment doesn't take away our smiles. If you let it, then it will." He patted her shoulder. "Lera, we are fine. All of us. You don't need to protect us and take all the responsibility. We're adults now and this is on us."
Lera looked up at him, just listening to him. She sniffled and calmed herself slowly.
"You know 'that guy'… we knew he wasn't good. We decided that it was alright to let you be happy around him and didn't tell you about it. Things took a turn for the worst, but this isn't all on you. If we told you, maybe we could have just avoided him… I don't know, but this isn't your fault."
---
Listening to Jev tell her all of that hurt her. Not the same way she had been feeling for these past few days. Lera felt that it was all her fault and now learned that Jev and the others hadn't told her anything because…
"Why?"
"Well… we never really talked about it, but I can tell you why I chose to not tell you. You and my sister were smiling and having fun. Joy. I didn't want to take that away from you or her."
"Did Paroppe know?"
"Yes, Ayanni told her. Even though she knew, she was still having fun. Watching the ship float over the Triaahlle River was one of the best parts. Actually I'm still looking forward to seeing the Skawaad Cluster."
Lera jumped a little in her seat.
"You want to go back?"
"I won't lie, I do. I know the trip is ruined and I do want revenge against that man. Sure I would like to see the sights, but I have a score to settle with Drahyun. Plus he has all those people still about to be sucked out into space."
Lera just came to the realization that time was still stopped.
"I forgot-"
"Don't worry about it. We can talk about this later, with the others."
---
The next morning, Jev was a little tired, but kept himself awake. Lera had been sitting on the couch thinking about what happened without falling and breaking down. It wasn't too long before the others joined and had breakfast.
"Good morning!" Everyone, Lera included, joined in the greeting. For the others that was a good sign. When they looked at Jev, he just gave a nod.
After their mundane conversations, Jev stood up after he got a nod from Lera. Of course the others noticed too.
"We should talk about what to do next." Jev stated to the group.
"Can I say something?" Lera stood up and nervously spoke. Since no one spoke, Lera looked towards Paroppe and she nodded. "I'm sorry for what happened and I want to thank all of you, my family. I made a terrible mistake-"
"Lera…" Paroppe cut in, but Jev put his hand on her shoulder. Lera went back to talking shortly after that moment.
"I did. I pressed the button and fell for Drahyun's tricks. I want to excuse my actions, saying I didn't know, but I should have." A loud sigh came from Byyuan as Lera stuttered out that last bit. "I should have… But all of you helped put me back together. So, thank you." She bowed her head and then sat back down.
Paroppe went over to Lera and gave her a hug, while the others just watched. Soon, everyone got to their seats and Byyuan joined Jev up front. Their backs facing the TV in the living room.
"There is a lot to do here." Jev began. "We need to save those people, stop whatever plan Drahyun has, and-"
Paroppe cut into Jev's speech. "Celebrate your birthday."
"I don't see how that is important right now." Jev complained.
"Paroppe is right. Once this is over, a party for us all would help take our minds off what happened. In the meantime, what do you have in mind Jev?"
"For starters, are we all in agreement to kill Drahyun."
Everyone, but Lera agreed. "I want to talk to him."
"Why?" Byyuan asked. He, like everyone else, wanted to know.
"I just want to know why he did it." Lera answered.
---
Their conversation developed into a plan. Everyone takes turns speaking. It becomes a mess and eventually devolves into…
"I want to make myself clear. I wholeheartedly disagree with this plan. Lera wants to Drahyun, alone. While she does that, the bad guys will be unfrozen, all teleported to a single room, by Lera, with us in it to fight them." Byyuan sighed, deeply and heavily. "We won't be killing them, just beating them unconscious so they can face trial. Also Paroppe won the privilege to punch Drahyun in the face."
"That's about it." Ayanni stated.
"I get we are trying to help those people, but we don't need to fight them. It's pointless. I know you all said you wanted to not rely on Lera's power, but we still are for most of it. Don't you see how this plan is just plain stupid?" Byyuan felt frustrated how
"She… He's right." Paroppe started. "When it's put that way, it's dumb. But I still want to punch 'him' the face."
"What if I just confine those who were involved and we just talk to Drahyun?" Lera offered. "I just want to know why he's doing this. He did something horrible I know, but maybe he isn't all bad."
"Lera, I don't know what you are expecting, but we will go with you." Paroppe turned towards the others. "We can start there at least right?"
"Okay, I'm fine with that. We can hold an informal trial… I guess." Ayanni put that out there as more of a suggestion.
"Do we… Lera, can talk to him and we will stand by her. Is that right?" Jev asked.
""Yes.""
"What did you do?"
"I thought we were family!"
"I knew this would happen. You took them away… I hate you!"
Lera tried to cover her ears. To protect herself from the voices. They told her it was her fault and she knew it. She pressed the button. She was going to kill her friends.
The small dark room around her was covered in blood. Earlier she tried to claw at the walls like the monster she was. Even trying to run away, but the door wouldn't open.
"I know! It's all my fault!" She screamed, then the voices went silent.
She was finally alone. Lera was finally able to think again. Once she did she regretted it.
She was alone…
Alone…
Alone!
"Ahhh!" Lera sat up in a fright. Looking around she found herself in her void home. The couch, her old bed… she rubbed her right hand on it for comfort. Her head was a little fuzzy, but she started to remember.
Lera knew she was tricked into killing her friends, but that didn't stop her from shivering and holding herself close.
"I tried to kill my family…" Tears formed in her eyes. At this point she saw two pairs of feet in front of her. Looking up, Byyuan and Paroppe were there. Just showing smiles with tears at the edge of Paroppe's eyes. "I'm so sorry!" Lera reached out to them. She didn't want to lose them and needed them so she wouldn't lose her mind.
---
After fifteen minutes of completely crying, Byyuan and Paroppe eventually got Lera to calm down and talk to them.
Byyuan had prepared a meal with the supplies Ayanni and Jev had gotten. With everything that had gone on, Ayanni had only recently remembered he could still create anything he wanted in his room, so they no longer had to go out and get anything.
For the past four days, Lera would wake up, stare at nothing before falling back asleep. When she did sleep, it was nightmares where she blamed herself and lashed out. Today though, she was lucid enough to talk to them.
Ayanni still did mention that letting Lera be the first one to talk about the incident was best. Byyuan had to agree. When something was bothering her children, never to this degree though, Sarussi would just talk about trivial things until her children spoke up. There was one time that backfired and she hoped that it wouldn't repeat here.
---
Ayanni and Jev were off to the side in the kitchen watching over them. It was nice having Jev on Lera's side for good now. She was starting to build up the courage to tell him and Ayanni the truth about what happened on her trip.
But now she was just calmly talking to Lera.
"Would you like a drink, Lera? Ayanni was going to make smoothies." She was loud enough for him to hear, but calm enough to not scare Lera.
As she watched her sister look down at the carpet and nod, Paroppe signed out of relief. As her brother and Ayanni got to work, she and Byyuan were just keeping a casual conversation going.
"I was thinking we could watch something… What would you want to watch, Byyuan?" She asked him.
"I've only seen a little bit of it and I've heard about it a little from Lera, but Sparkling Gate sounds like a great one to watch!"
"That does sound like the perfect thing to watch. My brother hasn't had time to watch it, so I think going through it again for you two would be perfect a great idea. What do you think of Lera."
The despair was gone on Lera's face and replaced with an awkward smile. That was a great start. After confirmation with a nod, they set up the TV in the living room to play the first season. They watched it all over the course of a few days, breaking it into chunks to play some card games and rest. There was always someone up and watching Lera in the meantime. Just so she never had to be alone.
---
"I can't believe I missed that last time. Remember that scene where Miraintle was walking past the Everelttie Café? Ithicav was sitting there drinking tea staring at her. That detail was so small, yet they planned that far ahead. Amazing.
On the first night of their watching session, where Ayanni was quietly talking to Lera about the show. Byyuan and Jev slept in Ayanni's room and Paroppe alone in her own room.
"She stole their memories, right?"
"Yea, Miraintle and Bakaryi's. I can't wait to see if they have any more of those details later. You never finished the series right?"
"No, I did…" She had missed some episodes when they were in Hapho in the later seasons. After their time in Hapho ended that month, Ayanni, Paroppe, and Lera never finished it. "… with Rozaa."
"Paroppe and I, did when we got back together. It's great we can watch it again." Ayanni was trying to be cheerful and gentle with Lera.
---
The next night after that, Byyuan was with Lera. They… Byyuan just talked. Lera listened to everything. She didn't feel like it was her place to talk. Those nightmares continued to happen regardless of how much she wanted to sleep. Just to be gone with nothing and hope it would all be better when she woke up.
Unfortunately, it didn't work like that.
---
"This series is amazing. I really missed out… Ah, well that was my fault. If I wasn't so stuck up, I could have joined you all on that trip." Both Lera and Jev were nervous. "I'm sorry for the way I acted towards you."
He had been on a roll admitting his mistakes. It made him feel good to do that, but also made him feel embarrassed, but that is just a small part of it.
"But you were right all along! I tried to kill you all and I… broke down. I'm so sorry." As Lera started to break down that night, Jev stood up and put his hand on her shoulder.
"We are alive, not dead. We weren't hurt too bad. Scratches at most. This isn't your fault. All of us liked this vacation, even if it turned out badly at the end there. A single moment doesn't take away our smiles. If you let it, then it will." He patted her shoulder. "Lera, we are fine. All of us. You don't need to protect us and take all the responsibility. We're adults now and this is on us."
Lera looked up at him, just listening to him. She sniffled and calmed herself slowly.
"You know 'that guy'… we knew he wasn't good. We decided that it was alright to let you be happy around him and didn't tell you about it. Things took a turn for the worst, but this isn't all on you. If we told you, maybe we could have just avoided him… I don't know, but this isn't your fault."
---
Listening to Jev tell her all of that hurt her. Not the same way she had been feeling for these past few days. Lera felt that it was all her fault and now learned that Jev and the others hadn't told her anything because…
"Why?"
"Well… we never really talked about it, but I can tell you why I chose to not tell you. You and my sister were smiling and having fun. Joy. I didn't want to take that away from you or her."
"Did Paroppe know?"
"Yes, Ayanni told her. Even though she knew, she was still having fun. Watching the ship float over the Triaahlle River was one of the best parts. Actually I'm still looking forward to seeing the Skawaad Cluster."
Lera jumped a little in her seat.
"You want to go back?"
"I won't lie, I do. I know the trip is ruined and I do want revenge against that man. Sure I would like to see the sights, but I have a score to settle with Drahyun. Plus he has all those people still about to be sucked out into space."
Lera just came to the realization that time was still stopped.
"I forgot-"
"Don't worry about it. We can talk about this later, with the others."
---
The next morning, Jev was a little tired, but kept himself awake. Lera had been sitting on the couch thinking about what happened without falling and breaking down. It wasn't too long before the others joined and had breakfast.
"Good morning!" Everyone, Lera included, joined in the greeting. For the others that was a good sign. When they looked at Jev, he just gave a nod.
After their mundane conversations, Jev stood up after he got a nod from Lera. Of course the others noticed too.
"We should talk about what to do next." Jev stated to the group.
"Can I say something?" Lera stood up and nervously spoke. Since no one spoke, Lera looked towards Paroppe and she nodded. "I'm sorry for what happened and I want to thank all of you, my family. I made a terrible mistake-"
"Lera…" Paroppe cut in, but Jev put his hand on her shoulder. Lera went back to talking shortly after that moment.
"I did. I pressed the button and fell for Drahyun's tricks. I want to excuse my actions, saying I didn't know, but I should have." A loud sigh came from Byyuan as Lera stuttered out that last bit. "I should have… But all of you helped put me back together. So, thank you." She bowed her head and then sat back down.
Paroppe went over to Lera and gave her a hug, while the others just watched. Soon, everyone got to their seats and Byyuan joined Jev up front. Their backs facing the TV in the living room.
"There is a lot to do here." Jev began. "We need to save those people, stop whatever plan Drahyun has, and-"
Paroppe cut into Jev's speech. "Celebrate your birthday."
"I don't see how that is important right now." Jev complained.
"Paroppe is right. Once this is over, a party for us all would help take our minds off what happened. In the meantime, what do you have in mind Jev?"
"For starters, are we all in agreement to kill Drahyun."
Everyone, but Lera agreed. "I want to talk to him."
"Why?" Byyuan asked. He, like everyone else, wanted to know.
"I just want to know why he did it." Lera answered.
---
Their conversation developed into a plan. Everyone takes turns speaking. It becomes a mess and eventually devolves into…
"I want to make myself clear. I wholeheartedly disagree with this plan. Lera wants to Drahyun, alone. While she does that, the bad guys will be unfrozen, all teleported to a single room, by Lera, with us in it to fight them." Byyuan sighed, deeply and heavily. "We won't be killing them, just beating them unconscious so they can face trial. Also Paroppe won the privilege to punch Drahyun in the face."
"That's about it." Ayanni stated.
"I get we are trying to help those people, but we don't need to fight them. It's pointless. I know you all said you wanted to not rely on Lera's power, but we still are for most of it. Don't you see how this plan is just plain stupid?" Byyuan felt frustrated how
"She… He's right." Paroppe started. "When it's put that way, it's dumb. But I still want to punch 'him' the face."
"What if I just confine those who were involved and we just talk to Drahyun?" Lera offered. "I just want to know why he's doing this. He did something horrible I know, but maybe he isn't all bad."
"Lera, I don't know what you are expecting, but we will go with you." Paroppe turned towards the others. "We can start there at least right?"
"Okay, I'm fine with that. We can hold an informal trial… I guess." Ayanni put that out there as more of a suggestion.
"Do we… Lera, can talk to him and we will stand by her. Is that right?" Jev asked.
""Yes.""
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