Standing in the corner much like the apparition was Kate. She said nothing for a long while. It saddened her to see the beautiful gardens now twisted and grotesque. Many years had passed since she was able to experience the blossoms herself but, she loved them all the same. Her home away from home was now a pile of ashes for her dearest friend in life to mourn. "Lady Caterina."
To say that she was startled would be a gross understatement. She is shocked, horrified, amazed, shaken by turns. "Kate..." she breathed. Her best friend, made a ghost twice over. Surely she was being deceived by her senses yet again.
The Iron Maiden was geniunely surprised to be seen. Her body had to have died in all this horror. Was her conscious still alive from some trick of William's? It was impossible for her to know for sure. She had no connection to her body to check against. Cautiously she answered. "You shouldn't be here. It's bad for your health."
Well, apparently her hallucination was going to indulge her in a conversation. Wonderful. Perhaps she would be allowed that last communication with her dearest friend after all. She gave the ghost(?) a shadow of her former smile, devoid of any actual amusement. "My health is at such a state that I doubt anything can be said to worsen it, Kate. There only remains to be seen how many days I have left, and what the manner of my death shall be." Her tone was rather resigned.
It pained her to see how hollow that smile was. Caterina was their beautiful Woman of Steel who could take the entire world if she truly desired. She should not be resigned. "Lady Caterina, with all due respect, the woman I serve does not behave like a kicked dog!" She softed, floating closer. Her expression was sad, but sincere. "Things are terrible but, you can turn this around. You have always been able to overcome anything. This isn't any different."
She was shocked anew; Kate hadn't spoken to her in such a manner in many years - in fact, it had been the occasion of her own clinical death. Her initial emotion was anger,as was likely intended. Rage had always been an excellent motivational force. It was followed swiftly by a sort of bemused acceptance, blended with no small amount of affection for the other woman. "I have a plan, of sorts. I doubt that you will be able to support it." She drew a deep if ragged breath. "I intend to join our former enemies." She lifted her chin, grey gaze darkening further, became the Lady of Steel once more. "I intend to ally myself with the Orden."
That was what the woman was looking for. Her friend needed her strength now more than ever. Although Kate was happy to see the steel return to her eyes, she could not agree with the plan. The Orden had caused so much suffering. "T-The Orden? Lady Caterina! Surely that has to be another way!"
"I wish that there were, dear. But with the destruction of Rome, the players are" she held up three slender fingers in illustration. "The Empire, which could hardly have a use for a dying, disgraced human. Albion, run by that silly child Queen whom I despise, and the Orden. Not my first choice, admittedly, but the one left to me."
"But, they've tried to kill all of us more than once. Why would they want you now?" Of course Kate didn't know about the politics involved. She saw people not factions.
She shrugged. "Are you familiar with the expression the enemy of my enemy is my friend? I'm not exactly a friend as of yet, but I'm not an enemy anymore." At least, as far as they were aware.
"I'm not sure that's a good thing." Kate frowned deeply. The thought of the same people who tried to hurt her friend calling her an ally was troubling. "If you think this is what you must do, I can't argue with you. You'll be careful?"
Kate hesitated a moment. Not because she did not know the answer but, she had her doubts. The nun did not know where her body was. She wasn't even sure she was truly alive. "You know I'd follow you anywhere."
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