The Six of Cups (part 2 of 4)

Posted on Tue Nov 16th, 2021 @ 7:44am by Alison Bliss & Kindra Graham
Edited on on Sun Jan 23rd, 2022 @ 1:13pm

Mission: Li Shen's Bazaar
Location: Kindra's Shuttle
Timeline: enroute to Li Shen Bazaar

OOC: after 'Three of Cups'

Alison took a sip of the hot tea and sighed going back in her memories. She nodded slightly. "Of course." She said. "Becoming a companion gives you powerful tools and abilities to use them, they are as much for satisfying others as to protect yourself. But as you can see, we are just humans. We aren't perfect." She leaned forward and touched Kindra's leg gently, rubbed it supportive before she moved her hand back and continued. "When I was cast out, I lived in the highly... stressful environment, forced to change... profession quickly. Still I relied on many skills I learned with the guild. This invited a lot of imperfections. Lots of dams were opened. So... yes, I had my heart broken a few times before I completed my... transformation." She smiled meekly. "I am sure it is not the same as your case, but I think it is enough to understand where the cupid arrow slipped in, finding a crack in your armor."

"I won't say it hurts less with every next time, because it will hurt the same. But if that is any consolation, the platitude about time healing wounds is very much true, and honestly the only real remedy here." Alison added. "This and a supportive friend. Though that you already have. So if you'll feel down or in need of smile, you can count on me."

"You can count on me too, my friend." Kindra reached out and squeezed Alison's hand, recalling that back when they'd first met, Alison had said her license was revoked, but not why exactly. At the time, she'd assumed something about political involvement in the Unification war. Alison rarely spoke of that time of transition after losing her license. "Well, you have all the grace, intelligence and cleverness of any companion I know. And the woman you are now is cao de badass."

Kindra sipped her tea, thinking of a topic she'd been reluctant to broach before. "This is… none of my business… but did you ever consider trying to get your license reinstated? I would sponsor your appeal to the Guild… if that's what you wanted."

Shadow appeared on Alison's face. The proposition was unexpected and even after all those years she felt a stir in her heart, briefly and only briefly imagining the scenario. She slowly put the cup of tea on the side and sighed. "Thank you. You are a true friend." Alison said and looked into Kindra's eyes. If anyone could understand how much companionship meant to a companion it was only another companion. The shadow was replaced by mixture of melancholy and longing. "Being thrown out from the guild was very traumatic for me. Becoming a companion was a life changing experience for me, as it probably was for you. It was not an easy one but very much needed for a girl I was back then. As a companion, I felt that my life was very complete, safe, and fulfilling, with a lot of wonderful clients that I was not only very much compatible but also quite happy." She sighed as her mind wandered off briefly again into the past.

"However." Alison said and her lips curled in a sour smile. "We didn't part on the friendly terms with the guild. I was found guilty of betraying the guild and for a time I had a bounty on my head. Only after I killed enough of bounty hunters to warrant repeated raises of it, eventually the guild backed off as it was simply too costly for them. At this point, I believe we are still on the hostile terms, though open conflict ended when the guild retracted the bounty. Partially also because I threatened I'll start killing companions." She sighed and shook her head. "So you see, I don't think reinstating of my license is on the table. Besides, I think I am getting too old for that." She finished with an impish smile. "Have you ever thought of leaving the guild?"

"I'm so sorry, Alison. The Guild is powerful, and its reach is long. But… I had no idea." So far, Kindra had only benefitted from the Guild's influence. But… the Guild had deployed assassins against one companion? It shed a new light on the situation her mother and father had found themselves in. She'd need to watch Walter's recorded message again, with this new perspective.

"I have," said Kindra honestly, answering Alison's question. "If things between Alden and I work out eventually, and if it was important to him, well I would consider leaving the Guild. I grew up believing my father convinced my mother to quit, then got bored and left us. A few months ago, I discovered it wasn't like that at all." She was quiet, drinking her tea and wondering what part the Guild had played in her father leaving them. "Turns out, he was a part of her life, in secret, right up until her death." The last moments of that video feed replayed in her mind - Jim Buccleuch holding a gun beneath her mother's chin. She gave an involuntary shudder.

Kindra swallowed the last of her tea and gestured with the empty cup to the bottle Alison had brought. "Do I get to try whatever's in the bottle?"

Alison leaned forward and touched Kindra's leg again, gently squeezing it to signal she understood. "Sure thing! I can add few stars to it for one of your smiles." Alison teased pointing at the Verse outside before she reached for the bottle. She cracked it open as she looked around for some glasses raising up on her knees. She knew exactly how much Kindra was willing to sacrifice for Alden. How deep her emotions were if she considered leaving the guild for him. Finding glasses she picked two with one hand and handed one glass to Kindra. Then she poured Kindra a solid amount of whiskey. "Tell me about your parents." She said softly deciding to change the subject, off Alden for a bit. “If that is not a secret.”

Kindra held the glass of amber liquid to her nose and breathed in the heady aroma. "Mmm… pepper, roasted nuts and citrus." She took a sip and rolled it on her tongue before she swallowed. "Hints of caramel, maple, and tobacco. Smooth with a bold finish. Delicious," she said approvingly. Alison had excellent taste in spirits, and knew what Kindra liked - sipping whiskey, meant to be savored and appreciated.

"My parents…" She smiled, glad to talk about her good memories of them. "I recall only a few things – flashes and snippets - about my birth father, Kinmont. My mother was able to get her Guild license reinstated and took a long-term contract with Margaret and Walter. They raised me as their own, on the Buccleuch ranch, on Persephone. Margaret oversaw a business breeding horses, and was usually concerned about appearances and tradition. Walter worked in the city, coming home on weekends and always gifting me his undivided attention when he was home. He'd been close to my father, but never talked about him. I adored Mother, she taught me to play the harp and so many other things… I wanted to be just like her, but without making the same huge mistake." Kindra took a longer sip from her glass, enjoying the pleasant burn when she swallowed. "I know how lucky I was, to have such a privileged upbringing, raised by three parents who loved me. What about you, Alison. What were your parents like?"

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