001: Millitime
When she first learned of it, she used it and abused it like any other unexpected weapon that comes to hand in the unending struggle against the Dark. Momentary breaks to catch her breath would become full recoveries. Catnaps became lazy sprawls enjoying the morning light creeping up the wall and fading into afternoon. Snagged mouthfuls of food became full, satisfying meals.
Then comes her last few patrols. She doesn't know, then that they're the last. She doesn't do anything special. She's training a cocky boy who is new to patrols. Silly thing wants to become a battle mage. Stuff and nonsense, he doesn't have the spine for it. But Boris Ivanovitch says to train him, so she does. She has some meals with Yulia. She plays basketball with a few bored analysts. She crashes in Bear's flat once, interrupting his re-watching and criticizing old vampire thrillers. They watch them together, and agree the vampires are ridiculous.
She doesn't like the new Dark Other in town. He's too innocent. Too present. But he isn't doing anything wrong.
Until he is. Until she is, driven to switch from capture to war in self-defense. Until she isn't, set adrift and in agony.
It is still there. She hears about it, now tells other about it. 'It's alright, you know' they say, all blase charm and disregard for the normal laws of physics. 'Time stops'.
She hopes it does. She has to believe it does. So that when she finds the way back, and she will find the way back, she won't have lost any time. She can still train Yulia, tease Bear, harass Anton, have tea and cakes with Gesar, drink with Seymon, go shopping with Ignat, and go on serving the Light.
Sometimes that thought alone is the anchorline that keeps her from walking back into the Twilight and letting the shadows wash her away.
Then comes her last few patrols. She doesn't know, then that they're the last. She doesn't do anything special. She's training a cocky boy who is new to patrols. Silly thing wants to become a battle mage. Stuff and nonsense, he doesn't have the spine for it. But Boris Ivanovitch says to train him, so she does. She has some meals with Yulia. She plays basketball with a few bored analysts. She crashes in Bear's flat once, interrupting his re-watching and criticizing old vampire thrillers. They watch them together, and agree the vampires are ridiculous.
She doesn't like the new Dark Other in town. He's too innocent. Too present. But he isn't doing anything wrong.
Until he is. Until she is, driven to switch from capture to war in self-defense. Until she isn't, set adrift and in agony.
It is still there. She hears about it, now tells other about it. 'It's alright, you know' they say, all blase charm and disregard for the normal laws of physics. 'Time stops'.
She hopes it does. She has to believe it does. So that when she finds the way back, and she will find the way back, she won't have lost any time. She can still train Yulia, tease Bear, harass Anton, have tea and cakes with Gesar, drink with Seymon, go shopping with Ignat, and go on serving the Light.
Sometimes that thought alone is the anchorline that keeps her from walking back into the Twilight and letting the shadows wash her away.