genessia | 1st Song [Voice]

[She blinks as she feels the hug and let herself fully relax in his arms. She misses him. Misses him so much and it was now that he appeared again in her life.]

You really think so? I pray that it is true, Ikki.

[But she couldn't save it. If only she found it earlier. She probably could have saved it. Even if he wouldn't nuzzle her, she turns her head to hide her face in the crook of his neck.]

I know you hate to see me like this but... Allow me this selfishness?

I don't think so, I know. I could feel it in its Cosmo as it faded, it thanked you. It felt as if it had been alone for a long while now.

[Wait a minute, she's relaxing in his arms and... She called his name. And then... Ikki just stands there dumbfounded for a moment.]

You... You remember me?

[But wait, how did she remember him? Marco had said he knew her as well, that she had been like a sister for them. Was this Leanne that one or... His eyes finally fall on her neck and the pendant he made for her. It's her. The one he knows, remembers, the one he loves.

He isn't even aware of the one tear that escapes as he realizes who this Leanne is. This time he's not one to complain about weaknesses.]

My Leanne...

I am glad then.... That I could give it some comfort before it passes.

[She blinks at his words. The thought of him being anyone other than her Ikki never crossed her mind.]

Of course I remembered you, Darling.

[She leans more against him, tears falling freely from her eyes.]

I am always and forever yours, Darling. I miss you.

[She wanted to hug him, but there was the manner of the creature.]

We should bury it. Or at least, find a way to protect it. It deserves that much.

[He smiles a bit at her apparent confusion, relieved and amused at the same time since it seems that she hadn't even considered the idea of him not remembering her.]

I thought... I feared you wouldn't remember. Or that you would remember differently.

[He moves in to kiss her forehead, feeling once again blessed for being able to do so.]

Ace is here as well but... It seems he doesn't remember us. Or that he's just another version of Ace who never met us.

[But that can wait, he nods as she speaks about the creature.]

Yes, let's go find a good place for it to rest, a park or... There are two areas prominent with forests, it could rest there.

[She was still confused but let out a sigh, happy to see his smile.]

My heart belongs to you and only you, even if we were separated, it was with you. Even if I have forgotten, I know that I would have remembered you quickly.

[She closes her eyes at the kiss, feeling the warmth and love in it.]

Ace... Doesn't know us?

[That... That made her a little sad and she gives the soft body a gentle squeeze for a hug.]

Those sound like a good place.... Especially since it help us to be reunited again. It would be the least we can do.

I know, Leanne but... It's complicated, nevermind. We can talk about it later.

[Or not talk about it because at the end it doesn't matter, not when she knows him and loves him.]

This world seems similar to Nautilus but different at the same time, and some people arrive here remembering similar worlds and people while others don't. There's someone we both met in another world, or different versions of ourselves, he remembers us but... We don't know him yet as we are now.

[He moves to start to guide Leanne towards there.]

[She moves a wing to cup it around him in lieu of her arms.]

Why do I have the feeling that we won't talk about it?

[It was a small tease but one to let him know that it was okay if they never talked about it.]

I see... I am glad then, that you remembered me.

[She blinks again.]

Is that person's name, Marco? He has a funny hairstyle?

[She follows his lead, leaning against him as he guides her. Right now, not really caring that he can see her scars. It was him, and he wasn't a dream.]

[He smiles a bit, she knows him way too well.]

Because you remember me and I remember you and so it doesn't really matter? Why worry about what ifs when we have other things to worry about?

[Ikki blinks as she mentions Marco before nodding, seems the other phoenix beat him to the punch. Not that it surprises him seeing how quickly he had jumped over him. It makes him wonder exactly how desperate the poor man had felt, how much he had missed them.]

Yes... He's a phoenix as well, and a brother. But I don't remember him... It sounded like not many people that he actually knows and cared about remember things the way he does. Makes me wish I could remember him, but it seems that the versions of us he remembers...

[A pause and he frowns, feeling jealousy despite it being stupid.]

He mentioned Naesala. That was one of your suitors, wasn't he?

[She forces a chuckle.]

No, it doesn't matter. We have each other again and that is all that truly matters.

[It was easier to smile now. Now, her mate is here with her. When was the last time they saw each other? Her eyes narrows briefly as she tries to recall the last time they have been together before sighing.]

Is he really? I am happy for you! You finally have another phoenix to be around with. Don't worry about it, Darling. We will just have to create new memories with him. Create our own bonds, since he is our brother.

[She blinks as he brings up Naesala and nods her head.]

Yes, he was the one who I was eventually engaged to, before the event. Why do you ask?

Yeah, all that matters.

[Well, that and the fact that he's starting to suspect that it has been longer for her than for him since they were separated. But he's not sure to bring it up just yet.]

Oh, don't take me wrong, I have full intention of doing that. I... I could feel something deep inside me react to him, like my very soul recognized him somehow. Not sure if it's because he's also a phoenix or because my soul actually remembers. Anyway I just wish I could remember, since it seems not many others do. It sounded lonely, even if he creates new memories with people.

[And it pulls a string inside of him that he fears. Because it sounds similar to outliving those around you and having to create new bonds with new people only to outlive them as well.]

I don't know the details but it sounded like the version of you that he knew, well, she was with Naesala. As an adult, you know, so, as you are now.

[She said herons mate for life, she chose him as her mate... So there's no reason for him to worry about if she would change her mind if Naesala appeared, right? Not this Leanne, at least.]

[She frowns a little and moves a wing to brush his cheek.]

Perhaps a part of you does remember him. But there is nothing to fear, Darling. No matter what happens. I am here with you, now and forevermore. We will do our best to ease the loneliness in him.

[She blinks before giggling a little.]

Really? I am glad then that version of me ended up with him but if you ask me, I got the much better mate.

[She should tell him in order to ease his worries.]

I already have been reunited with both of my old suitors. They are nothing compared to you, Darling. I have already rejected any advances they may or may not have made towards me.

[He hums in agreement and leans his head against the brush of her wing.]

Our Cloths are said to carry the memories of those who wore them before us, our very souls carry on memories of past lives... If we had any. Not all Saints are active at one time so not every Saint and Cloth may carry the same amount of memories. Since the Phoenix Cloth and I had been unable to be reunited until now I figured that I had no memories of past lives... But maybe I do after all and they are about him.

[He will try to be there for Marco now, because he can feel deep inside a strong pull towards the man, stronger than it had felt with Ace which is a lot to say. But still... If there was a way for him to really remember... But those are thoughts for later on.

When she answers regarding the other her being with Naesala, for an instant Ikki feels regret for having stolen her from a mate that would have also made her happy. But she quickly dispels his worries and he can't help the deep blush that climbs to his cheeks at that. The better mate, she said, he sincerely doubts that to be true but... Wouldn't that be nice to be?

He hadn't intented to bring it up just yet but since she did it first...]

So it's as I thought, it has been longer for you than for me. And you went back to your world.

[To the sleep she feared and hated.]

How long exactly? How long have I left you alone?

[She smiles as he leans his head against her wing. She is going to pamper him once the bury this precious animal.]

That could be it then. It is a past life or since there is another me out there, there could be another you as well. One who has befriended him. Don't feel guilty about it, Darling.

[She knows he will beat himself up over this. But then his reaction to her answer were pricless! She couldn't help but to laugh even more now. Yes, Ikki... You are the better mate.]

Years, it has been around 5 years since I went back to the sleep and finally awoken from it.

[Gives him a worried look.]

But it's not your fault, Ikki. Nautilius was the one who took you away from me. I went back to get stronger, stronger to not only find you again but also help Seiya.

You are telling me to not feel guilty... You realize that's like me telling you to not feel sad for the end of a life, right?

[It's in their natures. Ikki's a phoenix and anger and guilt are always going to be part of him, no matter what, even when he knows it's not his fault, he can't help it. Just like he can't help to beat himself over her being alone for 5 years. At least she woke up from that slumber that she feared.]

I'm sorry you had to go through that again. I... I never intended to leave you but, I think it wasn't Nautilius alone.

For me, just yesterday night I was in Nautilius, with you and the rest. We went to bed and then I woke up here. Marco said he had needed us, wanted us both here with him so he had tried to pull at the strings of fate but ended causing a mess. But...

I had been talking with Ace again about his family, about Marco and Thatch and the rest. I went to bed thinking about that, wanting to use bending to bend the universes to bring them to Nautilius, as well as Seiya and the rest. So maybe it was that why I was sent here, because I willed it but did it wrong because I wasn't strong enough.

[She blinks before giggling.]

I know you all to well but I can still try.

[She idly cradles the still body closer to her, sighing.]

It isn't your fault, Darling. I was the one who made the choice to go back.

[She listens to him though and brushes his cheek again.]

I have also been willing to see you again. As selfish as it sounds, I wanted to be held by you for so long. Even if I am no longer beautiful.

[She wants to hide her scars now. But she can't without leaving his side to use her wings.]

You wouldn't have had to make the choice if I hadn't left, right? You went back because I left.

[Because while it had been mentioned, while he was there, she had never made the choice to return. She hadn't even been sure about returning so... It had to be because he wasn't there that she got pushed to make the choice.

The rest of what she says, though, baffles him.]

... Okay, I'm pretty sure we have gone over this already and you should know that I couldn't care less but... I'll bite. Why do you think you're no longer beautiful?

[Because as far as he's concerned she could be desfigured and he would still love her, he didn't fall in love with her face and body, if that's how he worked he would have been in love with Athena.]

It wasn't just because you left... Other things happened which forced my hand.

[She sighs before giggling a little.]

I wish I can take you to Serenes. You can meet Papa! And Reyson and Rafiel and the rest! I am not the last Heron, Darling. There is a few of us but there are others. Most of them have been enslaved though but thanks to some of the Beorc kingdoms, we are working on freeing all of them.

[She blinks at him before looking away.]

It should be obvious... Even if by the ones on my face and neck....

What other things?

[He frowns a bit, he knows it's in the past and he can't help or do anything about it but... He's still going to worry about Nautilius and the family he left there, isn't he?

He smiles a bit when she goes on, glad to see that she's not the last Heron as she feared. That she's not alone. Although...]

Your family... I'm not sure that would be a good idea, I mean... You know how I am, it probably already has been hard with you rejecting your old suitors, but if you show them for who you rejected them...

[They would be disappointed for sure.

He frowns again and moves to try to get a better look at her.]

By the what on your face?

[Well, there are a few scars, faint for what he's used to see in a body, he hasn't seen Marin and Shaina often but he clearly remembers that what was seen of their bodies had far more and deeper scars than what Leanne sports. If anything the scars only make him beat himself more because they mean she has been involved in fighting, something he swore to protect her from.]

A storm... It affected almost everyone there. I know it wasn't them that said or did those things to me but still...

[She blinks and okay, gives him a playful push with her hips.]

Nonsense, I am sure that they will love you just like I do. Rafiel is married to the Wolf Queen so what difference is it that I married a Phoenix? I am sure that Papa will love you and Reyson will play with you.

[Cause what else could those verbal threats and punches be? Playing!]

Who I choose to marry is my choice to make. You won me first before they did. They had their chance, they abandoned me when they thought I was dead. Naesala has plenty of mistresses to keep him occupied and Tibarn his duties as the Bird King.

[But now she blushes and frowns as he looks closer.]

After we bury this little one... Should go somewhere private so you can see the extent of them.

A storm? What exactly happened? What did it do to them?

[And he's going to raise an eyebrow at that.]

Unless Reyson is a child I'm going to hope that when you say "play" it actually means something else, and it's just you misunderstanding it.

[Because he knows his wife.]

And it's not the same. I doubt the Wolf Queen is a being anchored in chaos and destruction as much as the Phoenix, even if there's life and rebirth on it as well... It's just a huge difference with the normal Heron and probably with your other suitors. Besides, I'm not fit to be the husband of a princess, I would never fool myself to think I am.

I know you chose me and I'll never stop to wonder what madness took hold of you to do that, to grant me that honor. But I know my place and I wouldn't want me to cause trouble for you at your world.

[One of the many reasons why he also won't really do much with her regarding sex and such. No matter how much Ace insisted.]

... If you insist. But you need to tell me what you are talking about, I don't see anything weird in your face.

Everyone suddenly became the opposite of how they are. But it only lasted for a week.

[She giggles before bursting out laughing.]

I am the youngest of my family. I am pretty sure I am not misunderstanding it. Usually I see him screaming at Naesala and then try to punch him. He does the same to Tibarn or...... Just about any guy really.

[She sighs and shakes her head.]

Yes, you are. You seem to be the only one who cares enough to try and see me for who I am and not what I am. Ikki, you are fit to be my husband. There is no one better to be it.

I choose you because I love you. You are the only one who truly completes me and make me whole. Your Chaos balances my Order. Your place is by my side, always. I don't care what others think of my choice. Besides, nothing what anyone can do can hurt me.

[Not as much as what Ashnard did. She idly trembles and pales a little at remembering that week.]

.... My scars. I am covered in them now.

The opposite? ... I suppose that doesn't mean Ace was a man of ice, right?

[No, chances are it changed their personality and character. For Ace... Would that make him a Marine? A bad one maybe, because even as a pirate Ace was a good person as far as Ikki's concerned. He wishes he had been there to help her but... What if he had been affected as well? The opposite of how he is... What would that be? He doesn't even want to think of it.

He shakes his head as she explains how she's not misunderstanding it.]

Leanne... You are misunderstanding it, I'm completely sure now. But it's okay, if he has the same strength as you chances are he would break his hand if he tried to punch me so I'll be careful to avoid him injury.

[At least the idea of one of her brothers yelling at him and trying to punch him fits with what he would expect so... He will agree with Reyson most probably even if he refuses to leave Leanne's side.]

... I wouldn't say that Leanne, I see you for what you are as much as the others. It's almost impossible to not see you as a Heron, you're the very definition of it from looks to your attitude.

[That's not what she means but what else is she? She's Leanne and a Heron, there's nothing else in the picture!]

You balance my Chaos, I would be a fool to deny how much your sole existence helps me to calm down. When I arrived here hours ago I was ready to destroy this place because you weren't here, if I didn't was because Marco found me and so did Seiya and Dohko. But now... Now you're here and right now all I want is to be with you... Or go find Ace and drag him here so he meets us and we can start anew right away.

[He really wants to go meet Ace now that he thinks of it. Even if moments before he had been stressing about it. That's the magic of Leanne's presence.]

Your scars?

[Ikki pauses and blinks before he smiles, widely and... Glowing with pride and love for her as he looks at her and the scars that worry her so much.]

My love... Did you forget who I am? Those tiny, faint scars... No matter how many there are or how much of your body they cover, they are yours and I love them. All they do is make me lament not being there for you but... They also prove that my wife is a woman capable of taking care of herself and fight her own wars, and for that, I couldn't love them more or be more proud of them.

[And he leans in, mentally excusing himself to the animal they have yet to bury, but he needs to do this now. He moves to kiss her lips briefly before moving to kiss every scar that he spots in her face and neck. No longer beautiful she says, if anything she's even more beautiful now than before. And it fills him with so much pride he could explode.]

[She blinks before giggling.]

Being a man of ice might kill Ace a little bit on the inside. He is too much like fire.

[She blinks again.]

But that is how Reyson is.... He seems to get along with so many people though.

[She sighs and listens to him, frowning a little.]

I am sorry.... I wasn't here earlier. You must have been scared and hurt... I am sorry, even though I promised to always be by your side. You had to arrive here without me.

[And she feels guilty over that. But then he was smiling and glowing? She blinks and before she could speak, he kisses her. She couldn't help but to blush quite a bit and then the blush increases as he kisses each of them.]

Dar-Dar-Darling~! [The neck ones were extra sensitive and hnnng, okay. She needs to show him all of them. Just to see if he has the same opinion. But she was positive that he will.]

Thank you... How could I be so blessed to be chosen and loved by you.

[By now they are coming to a park.]

You said the "opposite". But yes, that would be going too far even for a storm. He would explode from the contradiction.

[He shakes his head.]

Just because he gets along with people doesn't mean that the punches and screaming he does is a play. I punch and scream at people and it's not a game.

[She wasn't there when he woke up and he didn't expect her to be, he hadn't expected anyone to be, nor anyone that would know him. That's probably why it felt even worse, because at first he had been angry at being pulled from his new home but then he was angry at ending in a place where he could have still been with her but she wasn't there.]

You have nothing to be sorry about, I wasn't scared just angry. I didn't expect anyone I knew to be here, much less people who knew me, so when I met them and realized that you could have been here. That you could come here but not remember me or love someone else... That's when I got angrier.

I'm not sure what I would have done if you had loved someone else. If you just didn't remember me I had full intention of just getting to know you again. [And courting the hell out of her, this time with full intention. But he won't say that.]

But you're here now, that's what matters the most as Marco said.

[Aaand if she makes that noise that only makes him want to kiss her scars even more. But there are other matters to be attended to at first, so he pulls back and smiles.]

Silly, those are my lines. I'm the one who definitively doesn't deserve as much as you give me.

But let's leave that for later, where do you think I should dig?

[And his attention is back to the park and the task at hand.]

Do you think he will just be a puff of smoke or more like a match?

[She giggles a little before smiling even more.]

I guess so. But why then would he be so aggressive then towards them?

[Something to ask Reyson if he ever comes here. She never thought that he had an aggressive bone in his body. But perhaps Ikki is right about Reyson.

She frowns and quickly shakes her head.]

I doubt that I could ever fully forget you. You are very impossible to forget. But still... I am sorry. It is still something you should never have gone through.

[She smiles and nods her head, cooing and ears wiggling.]

Aye, that is what matters most now. And you are here with me now. Let us never leave each other's sides again.

[Her pale face is now blushing as much as she could. A wing moving to half hide her face when he pulls back and smiles.]

Let us say then that we each give each other much more than what we deserve, my Darling husband.

[She goes to take a deep breath to compose herself and points towards a tree.]

That tree will be good. So he can have shade and shelter during both sunny and rainy days. He can be protected a little there.

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