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Chapter Text

Nya’rhea pulled herself up from the regeneration chamber, hardened fingers scraping against the carved stone container. The iridescent liquid dripped down her snow white skin washing away any of the golden blood that leaked from cracks in her external shell. She stood quickly, nude form crossing the room illuminated by crystals that were clear in color. Normally, she would’ve taken her time drying out in the sunlight outside of her lab, but her mind was eagerly drawn to the genetic scrying pool.

She gazed into the crystal clear pool filled with pearls, caressing her fingers across the surface to awaken its ability. The vine-like language of her people flickered across the reflection, and Nya’rhea swiped her fingers across the names that shared the galaxy with her. The pair of names roughly translated to her native tongue, Ma’rhe and Mefis’te . 

Marie and Mephiste, a son and daughter from the line she bore so long ago. 

She collected her white and blue woven fabric, adorning herself in clothes as the cold started to kiss her bare skin. She touched Mephiste’s name, the words that make up his name growing larger and consuming the surface. She had watched the son since he first stepped on Pandora, and very quickly did he fail her test. He had taken life needlessly, without consideration of the world around him. True, he did so to protect the weak and frail, his loved ones and friends. However, like all things, there must be a balance to maintain in this world. No, he was not the future of Pandora, but he was an ideal hero. 

She had watched the battle that tore the twins apart, and it ached in her heart that she had to push them away once more. But she needed Marie to spread her wings, and if she remained in Sanctuary, she could only become like stagnant water; eventually festering and squandering her abilities and potential. No, as much as Nya’rhea wanted the girl to have a happily ever after, she had to push her just a little bit and make her wait. 

Her dark eyes scanned over the images shown to her in the pool, the very essence of Pandora itself showing her what the son was doing. He had made it to Sanctuary one full moon cycle ago, and had remained in the rebellion town with his partner Brick since then. She had hoped to catch a glimpse of the man who loved Marie - the hunter named Mordecai. However, today showed no promise as the scene that revealed itself showed the lovers by themselves, in what looked like their home. She knew the hunter was weaving himself in and out of Sanctuary, but for what purpose she couldn’t quite tell yet. The essence could tell her that Mordecai was alive, where he was in this wide world, but unless she sent one of her specimens out to find him; she was blind to his state of mind.

Not that she hadn’t tried. She had sent out a rakk a few sun cycles ago to try and watch out for him, but that predatory bird of his spotted her creation and tore it down like a dead plant. The very last thing she saw from the rakk’s dying gaze was the numerous bottles of the substance known as alcohol littering his hovel, only catching a distorted glimpse of the man’s face. In her soul, she felt horrible for the man. 

After all, she was the one that pushed Roland into making that call at that moment. 

She splashed the water’s surface to reset the image, this time swiping her fingers over the other name. The waves mixed with the growing inked vines, showing Nya’rhea the daughter twin. She gazed at the girl in quiet contemplation, pushing her hands through the surface edge and gripped the pearls beneath. The pool glowed a soft, beloved blue light as inked flowers crawled up her white skin. Nya’rhea closed her eyes as she drowned herself in the girl’s thoughts and emotions, every bit of her submerged in the sensations her heir experienced. The cool of metal against her fingers, the taste of dried herbs that were rehydrated in hot water, the scent of heat and chemicals. Emotions of determination, heartbreak, and fear rocked her core, and Nya’rhrea pushed her arms further into the pool, deeper into the pearls. She opened her eyelids, lowering her face to the reflection and whispered, “You are loved.” 

She watched Marie react to her words, the red eyes flickered away from the machine she was working on for only a moment. She felt the fear grow stronger, and a new emotion joining the dark mix. Grimacing, the female Zagerite let go of the pearls she clutched on to, digging her hands around in the pool to find a singular, pearlescent scale and pulled it up close to her face. She pressed her lips to the stone-like plating, whispering, “ Go, my herald. Appease your mistress .” 

The scale radiated a soft light in her palm, and as it faded, she heard Marie yell at something. Nya’rhea turned her gaze back to the image, seeing the three-legged skag that was her creation stealing the woman’s wrench and bolting out of the room with it. Marie cussed, leaving her workstation to give chase. Nya’rhea laughed at the scene, relaxing a little as she guided the skag named Greebo down the halls and to the general area of someone Marie needed most. 

The girl had a lot to learn before she became the future Pandora needed, after all. Nya’rhea couldn’t let her sit and sulk around for much longer. There was work to be done. 

Chapter Text

“Dammit, Greebo, get back here!” 

Marie chased after the three-legged alien canine that had chomped down on her wrench and launched itself out of her repair bay, deciding to be a menace and demand playtime when she was locked in on fixing one of the robots. Its three-part maw awkwardly wrapped around the metal tool, tongue lolling out of the side of its mouth as it happily squealed across the marble floors and between the legs of various employees. Several dirty looks were shot in her direction as she quickly apologized for her pet, trying to keep up with the beast. 

Greebo managed to get himself backed into a corner, though, as he turned the hall down to where the meeting rooms were and bolted into an open door. Marie cursed, following the pup into the room and shut the door when she heard someone clear their throat and realized they weren’t alone . Her gaze looked up from where Greebo was sitting between a pair of legs to see her husband Jack at the head of the table, his body double Timothy at his one side, and a dark-skinned woman on the other. Jack raised an eyebrow at Marie, looking down to where Greebo was sitting happily drooling over her tool, then his mouth formed a smirk. 

“Well, I’d say perfect timing, but,” Jack mused, his heterochromia eyes remained focus on Greebo as he reached down to take the wrench from the pup’s mouth. “You’re early, little fox. And I didn’t even call for you.” He pulled out a handkerchief from his jacket pocket, wiping the slobber off the tool before setting it down on the table. Jack gestured to the open seat next to Tim, across from the other woman. “Have a seat, pumpkin.” 

She quickly took the seat Jack gestured to, taking her tool off the table in embarrassment. The woman just gave her a knowing smile, lips stained a beautiful shade of blue-based bright red. A streak of white accented her perfectly styled dark hair, a highlight within the singular wisp of her bangs. Her eyes were the color of ice, and they were just as fierce and cold as the questionable surface of a frozen lake. Clear blue gems adorned her neckline, a fashionable coat with real fur on the neckline drawing attention to her face. She was regal and haughty, her attention focused on Marie. 

“Little fox,” Jack announced. “This is Aurelia Hammerlock, an old friend of mine.” Marie curled an eyebrow up, the last name a familiarity to her. “She’ll be here on the Helios station for the foreseeable future, acting as your guardian and bodyguard.” 

“Guardian?” Marie asked. “Jack, I’m an adult.” 

“Correct.” Aurelia answered, her voice high-pitched and noble in tone, an old British accent thick on her words. Definitely related to the man she met on Pandora . “But, let’s be honest darling, you need someone to look after you. So think of me, not as a guardian like a parent, but like some type of…guardian angel?” Jack glared at the woman when she said that, though his face was ignored by Aurelia. “An auntie figure, if I’m allowed to voice my preference.” 

“There’s concern about the Crimson Raiders trying something now that you’re back home.” Tim explained at her side, sharing his meeting minutes document with Marie. She gazed over the typed itinerary, scribbled amongst the words was Tim’s handwriting, which was identical to Jack’s. “There’s been at least three attempts from their low-ranking officers trying to board the station, we think they’re after you.” 

“So I hired Aurelia to stay by your side for the time being.” Jack added, running a hand through his brown locks. “Besides being your bodyguard, she’ll also be teaching you as much as she can about the corporate factions showing up in six months.” 

“What’s happened in six months?” Marie asked, trying to find that information on the document. 

“Your debut to high society, darling!” Aurelia laughed. “Your official banquet party welcoming you to the circle of the rich and powerful.” She turned her gaze to Jack, “Which, by the way, you haven’t answered my question. Where exactly am I starting from with this girl?” 

“Considering where she came from?” Jack shrugged. “Start with the basics.” He got up from his chair, stretching and yawning. “Meeting adjourned, folks. Marie, you’ll be joining Aurelia for dinner tonight. Go close up your repair bay and freshen up. I’ll let the floor foremen know you’re out for the remainder of your shift.” He paused, then turned to his body double. “Oh, and Tim? Be a good boy and escort my wife, will you?” He clicked his tongue as his fingers formed into a gun, winking at the group before exiting the room. 

Aurelia’s face dropped her smile, eyes widened in disbelief as she pressed her fingers to her temple and puffed her cheeks out to blow a long stream of air. Once she composed herself, her gaze fell upon Marie, who was quietly getting out of her chair. “Put on your best for dinner tonight, dear. I’d like to see what your finest ensemble is before we even begin.” She looked her over and gave a wide grin, like she wasn’t liking what she had to work with before even knowing where to actually begin. “And clean up, dear. I don’t want my fine crystal sullied by oil.” Aurelia spun to the side of her chair and got up, straightening the new wrinkles in her jacket before sauntering off, heels clicking loud and fierce against the cold floor. 

“She means well.” Tim tried to assure Marie, hand rubbing his face. “She just doesn’t come across as such.” 

“Could’ve fooled me.” Marie sighed, waiting for Tim to collect his paperwork. “Look, you can just meet me up at my apartment, okay? No need to escort me.” She turned to quickly leave, but Tim had already grabbed at her hand and held on firmly, but gently. 

“No, just, wait. Okay?” he asked softly. “Just wait a minute, please.” He quickly got up, one hand shoving the binder full of loose paper under his arms. “I do want to catch up with you, eventually. You just got out of quarantine and…well…” He let go of her hand, clearing his throat as he straightened up. “Been kinda missing my trauma buddy, you know?”

Trauma bonding . She remembered the last time she spoke to Tim, before she had been stolen away to Pandora, he used that term to describe their relationship. The last time she saw him, the both of them strolled up the shopping district after Jack had instructed Tim to keep her away from his office. Her grandfather had stormed the station, demanding something from Jack. Her arranged husband had not taken kindly to the old man’s presence, and kept Marie as far from him as possible. 

She remembered how, during her time on Pandora, she often wondered how Jack and Tim were without her. And now that she was back, she’d done everything she could to avoid the pair. Yet, here Tim was, his kind, awkward, boyish smile crossing his features. She felt her wall break down a little, a brick removed from the box she put herself in just to peer out and admire his sincerity. 

But she quickly put that brick back, chastising herself for betraying Jack and Tim by falling for Mordecai. “I have a lot to do.” She answered sternly. “Not really available for chit-chat. Hell, this dinner with Aurelia is really stretching me thin.” 

“Oh, I understand.” Tim assured, but didn’t back down. “I figured I could come down to the repair bay and help you close up. I mean, Jack did tell me to go with you.” 

“You don’t have t-” 

“I’m ordered to.” Tim pushed again, this time his hand reached out to take hers and lace their fingers together. “Please? It’s been a while. I missed you.” She looked down at his hand, seeing the leather-brown glove cover what she distinctly remembered as the hand he cut up during the debacle at the jewelry store on their outing. She brought it up to her face, inspecting the bright blue “H” shining on the back of the hand. “Oh, I nearly forgot about that.” 

“What is this?” She asked, letting go of his hand to inspect the glove closer. “Were you hurt badly?” 

“Oh, no.” Tim shook his head. “Trust me, the medical staff here is excellent at skin damage repair. No, I’m being relocated after the ball.” Marie glanced up at him, feeling a little bit of her heart sink. “Jack’s always owed me for some bullshit before he took over Hyperion. Finally got his ass around to finishing one of his side projects and lucky me gets to go have a cushy job for the next…” He counted off in his head. “26 years? Yeah, that’s about right.” He pulled his hand away gently, flexing his fingers. “This is called The Winning Hand . Its a cybernetic augmentation that acts as an access key to all the facilities in Jack’s casino station.” 

“Jack has a casino station?” Marie asked. “I thought we had casino’s here at Helios?” 

“We do.” He smiled at her, nodding. “But this station? It’s a full-blown monument to every sin imaginable. A food court with buffets from around the world, a shopping district with unreleased products strictly meant for the Jackpot Casino only, an entire entertainment level…” He trailed off, looking down at her. “It’ll have everything there, Mae.” 

“...then I’m happy for you.” She murmured. “I really should go close up shop. I don’t want-” 

“Can you promise me you’ll visit?” he asked, refusing to let her wander off with her thoughts alone. “I’ll show you around. Take you to see all the best places. This,” He waved his cybernetic augmentation, “Gives me access to everything and anything, free of charge. All I have to do is kiss some babies, smile and wave when I need to, and take photos when asked. Really, its a nice gig and it won’t impede our time together.” The urgency in his voice wasn’t lost on her, he really wanted her to commit to seeing him. 

“I doubt I’ll stay long enough to enjoy all of it in one go.” Marie murmured. “But…I’ll come sometimes, okay?” Tim lit up like the sun at her promise, and it made Marie want to go crawl into a deep hole just to avoid the way he looked at her. She didn’t deserve it. She didn’t deserve any of this kindness. She had betrayed them, damn what the therapists said. 

Tim gently lanced their hands together once more, “Let’s go close up your shop, Mae. I’ll give you a hand picking out clothes for dinner tonight with Aurelia.” He looked her over, “Do you have accessories at all? Jewelry?” 

“Do I look like the type to wear that shit?” She asked. “It’ll get caught up in the metal and pipes when I’m working. I’d need to take extra care of what’s on me rather than my job. That’s not-” 

“Okay, okay.” Tim held up a hand in defeat. “We’ll need to stop at a jewelry store on the way up, then. Aurelia will want you to wear something flashy for dinner. You’ll only have to wear that crap around her, okay?” He gently gripped her chin, turning her face side to side, inspecting something. “You’ll have to get your ears pierced at some point.” 

“Pierced?” she asked, confused. “Why?” 

“Earrings.” Timothy replied simply. “Jack’ll want you to wear jewelry to the ball, and earrings are the highlight of the face - or so he says.” Tim gestured to the lone stud in his left ear. “Dunno why, the guy really likes earrings. Maybe it's a fetish?” That got Marie to snicker a little, and Tim’s eyes shone with an unfamiliar emotion. “I’ll ask Jack if he can schedule you in with Freddie some time this week. If he doesn’t go with you, I will.” 

“Freddie?” 

“Oh!” Tim tsked at himself. “Freddie’s the personal body modification guy for Jack. Really awesome dude. Just don’t get him talking about robots.” He remembered something, “Or…do, actually. Cause, ya know, you two enjoy fixing bots and-” 

“I wouldn’t…” Marie interrupted. “I…I can’t right now.” Her thoughts went back to her last day on Pandora, holding the decapitated head of her friend Flak in her hands, watching their literal light flicker in and out of existence. Jack had said he tried to revive the bot for her sake, but the Flak’s data was gone before they managed to board Hyperion. Talking to this Freddie person about her lost friend would only bring up hope for her that would be extinguished like a match against a tsunami. Brutal, total, and drowning.  

“I get it.” Tim assured her, leading her to the hall that connected the office to the repair bay. He saw one of the workers passing by and stopped, handing them his packet of documents and asking them to have the notes delivered to his office. Which was really Jack’s office. “So let’s just focus on us right now, okay? The here and now.” He squeezed her hand in his, thumb rubbing up and down hers in an effort to try and soothe her. 

The floor manager had met the pair at the entrance, stopping them from even entering. He had taken the liberty of cleaning up Marie’s bay and shop, going as far as to declare that he was going to scrub the area down. Jack had brought up the urgency of Marie needing to be out of there as soon as possible, and the manager did not want to deal with an angry CEO breathing down his neck.  He did, however, let them in so Marie could go and grab her belongings before heading up to the apartment. 

Her hand reached for the strap of her messenger bag, throwing the firehose canvas material over her shoulder. Upon her return, almost everything of hers from Pandora was thrown out. The only things she couldn’t part with were the pipe wrench that she used to defend herself, and the pair of combat shoes that a small child named Tina drew all over. Those very shoes were covering her feet, and that pipe wrench was buried at the bottom of her messenger bag like some dirty secret. The last thing she grabbed before leaving was the small orb that was on its own display stand on a nearby tool cart, containing a small data chip suspended in a clear goo. 

The data chip of her dearly beloved friend and companion, Flak. 

Jack had tried everything to get some memory back from the chip, but nothing worked. There was no recall, it didn’t respond to his master codes, and at one point Jack had put the chip into another bot in the hopes that something would turn on. But, alas, nothing worked. So he had carefully pried this portion out of the decapitated metal head, dropped it into the orb filled with the mineral oil goo, and sealed it up for her. A type of personal memorial tribute to her fallen companion. She carried it with her, small stands set up in her frequent habitats so she could put the chip on display. An odd thing, she supposed, but it made her feel less… alone . 

She pocketed the orb in her black canvas pants, slipping her hand into Tim’s outstretched one. Being back in Helios; back with Hyperion , should’ve felt a lot more like coming home. Instead, it felt a lot more like she was slogging back to her work, like she had never truly left Blackwatch. Only traded it for some additional privileges, glittering bobbles, and extra security.

After all was said and done, she was still just a captive bird, living in the bigger, golden cage. 

Chapter Text

Dinner with Aurelia had gone exceptionally disastrous. If it weren’t for the fact that Aurelia declared Marie’s silk blouse ‘gaudy’ or her dress slacks 'insipid,’ it was definitely how Marie ate like a poor person at her real Earthian African Blackwood table. Even if she had ‘decent enough’ manners, Aurelia’s main complaint about dinner conversations was how Marie couldn’t tell the difference between Tediore and Torgue; two other of the other major retail organizations of weaponry. There was a laundry list of ‘smaller’ infractions that the woman wrote in her report to Jack. 

Which was now being read over by Jack and Marie, in his office. Jack held the papers in his hand, looking at them with a raised eyebrow and a smug grin across his face. Marie was looking over his shoulder, standing behind the chair with a heated face; from both embarrassment and anger. Jack was holding onto the letter so that Marie didn’t have a chance to take the report and storm off to shove Aurelia’s thoughts up her rich ass. He reached over for his coffee mug, taking a very long sip before putting it back on the coaster and tsked, shaking his head. 

“Jack,” Marie started, angry. “I’m so, so sorry. I thought-” 

“She likes you.” Jack hummed, flipping to the next page of the report from Aurelia. “She really likes you.” 

She looked at her political husband, confused. “I…I don’t…Excuse me?” 

Jack got up from his seat, placing the report on his desk and headed over to the cabinet. “Did I ever tell you how Aurelia and I met? Did she?” He turned his gaze towards her to watch her shake her head. “So way back before I got promoted, she and six others helped me save Elpis.” 

“The moon?” Marie asked, turning to look at the said planetoid, the purple scar facing them. 

“It used to have a colony on it.” Jack said, pulling out a file and flipped through it. “Opened a vault and everything. Only for the fucking planet to start ripping itself apart.” Jack pulled out a stack of papers and came back over to Marie, “So, all to say, Aurelia was bored enough to join me on the trip and get paid. And, this-” He dropped the stack of papers - almost 8 full pages - on the table next to Marie’s report. “-is my dinner report. And this was her being, as she said, kind .” 

Marie timidly reached for the stack, flipping through the report and gawked. “M-maybe she’s lowered her standards?” 

“No.” Jack sighed. “No, I was that bad. Trust me, I had a lot to learn when I started running this place.” He sat back in his leather chair, pressing the intercom button on the armrest to talk to his secretary. “Hun, can you grab my wife a coffee? Thank you.” 

“So she likes me because she finds less things to bitch about me?” Marie tried to connect Jack’s thinking, moving around the desk to sit at the chair opposite of him. Jack’s intern came in and, instead of the usual blond middle-aged woman with ruby red lips; a young man with chestnut colored hair came in quickly. Marie took the cup gently from the man, who looked very surprised to see her. “Ah, thank you, Mister…?” 

“Oh!” Jack snapped his fingers. “Right! Little fox, this is Rhys! Rhys, my wife.” Marie turned her gaze to Jack momentarily, then back to Rhys. “Had to let whats-her-name go. Anyways, Rhys here is going to cover until an opening in the data-mining department happens. Which,” Jack looked at a separate report on his desk. “Might be soon. If this mining deal goes through as you projected.” 

“I-it will.” Rhys assured Jack, and Marie noticed the man’s one robotic eye. An ECHO eye implant . Rhys looked down at Marie a little worriedly, a terrified smile crossing his face. “Ma’am?” 

“I’m sorry.” Marie whispered. “Is that…an ECHO eye implant?” Rhys nodded slowly, looking between her and Jack like he was waiting for one of them to snap at him for not doing some part of his job. Marie stood up, extending a hand out. “May I have a closer look?” Rhys lowered his head in submission and Marie, very carefully and gently, gripped his chin to pull his face closer. She inspected the eye, and saw the small circular light at his temple. Small wires extended out from it, connecting into his skin and trailing down to his shoulder. Marie saw the beginnings of a cybernetic arm attached at the shoulder, pulling back gently and looking down at his hand. “Fully cybernetic limb?” 

“Y-yeah…” Rhys shrugged, raising his flesh arm to his mechanical one and rubbed it. “Lost my arm and eye when I was little. Got this to help me advance in data-mining.” 

“That’s incredible!” Marie gasped, and Rhys looked at her with a blush on his face. “I thought the eye would’ve been connected to the brain from how it looks. But it's connected to more than the brain, isn’t it?” 

“It…it is.” Rhys looked a little relieved, glancing over to Jack who was still at his desk, smirking. “I can access the ECHOnet with my eye and interface with my arm. Makes things easier.” 

“That’s incredible!” Marie whispered. “I don’t think I’d give up my eye for it, personally. I know some people have. But you…what a wonderful opportunity.” 

“Uh…t-thank-thank you.” Rhys stuttered, his shoulders relaxing and his demeanor much more calm. “If you ever need to learn about data-mining o-or have questions about cybernetics-” 

“Alright you two.” Jack stood up abruptly, crossing over the floor quickly and started guiding Rhys to the door. “I love awkward nerdy talk like no one else, but this is my time with my wife.” He gently pushed Rhys out the door, only to slam the door in the poor man’s face. Jack ran a hand through his brown locks, composing himself before addressing Marie, “Don’t flirt with my secretary, hun.” 

“I wasn’t.” Marie defended herself, arms folding over her chest. “I’m genuinely interested in cybernetic limbs. Too many people in Blackwatch die because they lose an arm or a leg. If there’s a way to manufacture them to get quality results at a cheaper cost-” 

“Alright, alright.” Jack huffed, and then laughed. “I forgot how innocent you are with romance. So, just so you’re aware, Rhys was popping a boner and trying not to show.” Marie cringed backwards, making a face. “And I have better things to do than watch someone pop a hard on because my wife is being innocently interested in something.” He waited a few moments, probably to allow Rhys some time to sit down and compose himself, before opening the door again and holding out a hand to Marie. “My wife?” 

“You’re awfully possessive today.” Marie noted, taking Jack’s hand and letting him escort her out the door of his office and past Rhys. She spared a glance at the poor man, who was sitting at his desk like he was excited to see Marie looking his way, waving at her. She gave him an apologetic smile, walking down the hall with Jack’s arm around her waist. 

“Should I not be after everything you went through?” Jack asked. “Sweetheart, you went through turmoil in that hellhole. Used, abused, manipulated.” He pressed the panel to the hidden elevator, guiding her in before following her. “Combine that with the bandit's attempts to get on Helios? Coming after you? Marie, I am terribly worried.” He reached up to brush a strand of white hair behind her ear, thumb brushing over the small mole mark under her eye. “And should a husband not be worried for his wife? Even if it's a political arrangement?” 

“That’s not…” Marie sighed, turning her gaze away from his. Those heterochromia eyes bored into her red ones, like if he looked hard enough he could force her to bear her soul to him. “That’s not the kind of possessive I meant, Jack.” 

“I’m aware.” He smirked down at her, his voice a low growl that rumbled his chest. His hand extended out to touch the cool container, boxing her frame between him and the metal wall at her back. “But maybe losing you to those scum made me realize that I took this partnership for granted, little fox. I’d like to get to know you better, and I’m a busy man. So let me monopolize what little time I can have with you, okay?” The elevator doors swung open, and Jack backed away from Marie. His hand went back into his pocket, the other arm sticking out in a gesture for her to take. “Shall we?” 

“And where exactly are we going?” Marie asked, taking his arm and letting him lead. 

“Couple places.” Jack mused. “Aurelia’s letter, while mostly bullshit, had some good points, little fox.” He gestured to her attire; black t-shirt and dark jeans with some oil stains at the hems of her feet. “You dress like that a lot, unless you’re going out for dinner on orders. And even then, what you’ve been wearing is what most women of our status wears *daily*.” He eyed something in the window of a store they passed, a men’s suit store that displayed bright yellow and black ties in the front. “So there’s going to be some changes.” 

“If I wear those clothes to work, I’ll work someone’s fingers to the bone every month.” Marie shook her head. “I don’t care what Aurelia says. I-” 

“You can only wear your mechanic clothes in the mechanic bay .” Jack explained. “You’ll change in and out of your work gear. I’ll get you assigned a locker.” He held up a second finger. “Second, I want you to get used to wearing accessories. And, yes, that means getting your ears pierced if you’re okay with it.” 

“Asking if I want to get body modifications instead of forcing me?” Marie snickered at him. “How thoughtful.” 

“Consent is sexy.” Jack smiled. “There’s ways around it if you don’t want to get them pierced. Magnetic earrings are a thing.” 

“So why does Tim have to get a piercing, but I don’t?” 

“He’s my body double.” Jack explained. “Meaning he has to look exactly like me in every aspect. Very mole, freckle, scar, piercing. All the body doubles do. It's in the contract they sign.” The pair of them reached a hot rose pink store with large glass doors, the name ‘Malik’s’ etched on both doors in pure gold. Jack held one of the doors for her, letting her in first before finishing their conversation. “That’s more of a safety feature for everyone than a personal thing.” 

The room was full of beautiful gowns and suits displayed on mannequins. While most of them were finished, a select few in the back of the store were still in the development stage. A lone man was bent over, working on one such article, pinning pieces expertly and flawlessly like this was the millionth gown he did in his lifetime. The man’s dark eyes finally fell upon the pair, and he smiled warmly. “Well, if it isn’t my best customer.” 

“Malik!” Jack smiled, approaching the very dark-skinned man. Jack reached out his hand to the man, who took it and shook it respectfully. “How’s my best tailor?” 

“Exceptional, as always, sir.” the man named Malik replied, a thick French accent to his voice, his body tall as he stood up straighter. His hands went up to the very well kept faded locks, making sure every hair was perfectly in place. It was only then that the man’s gaze fell upon Marie, looking at her over his gold-framed glasses. “And is this beautiful rose your wife?” 

“The one and only!” Jack said, wrapping an arm around Marie’s waist and bringing her closer to their conversation. “Marie, this is Malik.” Malik bowed to her slightly, holding his hand out to Marie’s. When she took it, Malik fixed their hands so he could raise the back of her hand to his lips, though he did not kiss it. 

“ Je suis ravie de vous connaître.” Malik greeted, his eyes looking over her body as if already forming ideas in his head about what to put her in. “I can only assume you brought this lovely creation to my abode for fashion assistance.” 

“That’s right.” Jack agreed. “You’re the best at what you do, Malik. Think we can get started on measurements, today?” 

Malik hummed, looking Marie over once more. “My dear, do you know what size you truly are?” When Marie gave him an unknowing, blank stare, he chuckled. “That’s fine. We’ll take the basic measurements above the clothes.” He unwrapped the tailor’s tape measure around his neck, adjusting Marie to lift her arms up a little as he took quick notes of her size. He hummed in thought, almost a concerned tone to his grumbles as he looked at Jack. “Are you aware of how thin she is?” 

“We’re working on it.” Jack murmured. “She was worse when she first came to Hyperion.” 

Malik shut up after that, leaving Marie alone to go and grab at a skin-colored bodysuit off the rack. “This should fit.” He said, handing the garment to Marie. “Can you please change and come out in just that, my dear? We can take accurate measurements afterwards.” 

Marie took the article, looking at how low the back was. While it would be slightly uncomfortable, it wasn’t like she was self conscious about how marked up her back was; it was the fact that she hated something only half-covering her back. Her back had to be either fully covered, or fully exposed. It was just how she got used to wearing things on Proteus, though. Malik led her to a changing room, and she could hear him begin to converse with Jack about possible fabric options to show her. 

She changed into the bodysuit, the fit was nearly perfect against her. She resisted the urge to grab at her back to scratch at the scars where the hem rubbed against her skin, exiting the dressing room. “Mister Malik?” she called out. 

“Pedestal by the mirrors, dear!” Malik called out, having pulled out some swatch books. Jack was helping the man, carrying the books in his arms as Malik piled them high up. “Down the hall there and to the left. We’ll be right there.” Marie turned and started walking down the direction Malik instructed, when she heard the crashing of books and Malik screaming, “ Quelle horreur! ” She turned to look back, seeing the stack of books Jack was carrying scattered on the floor. Malik was holding one book against his chest, hand gripping his heart like he had seen something disturbing. 

“What?” Marie asked, trying to look behind her. “Do I have oil on my ass or something? I’m sorry, I-” 

“No.” Jack whispered, stepping over the books to briskly walk to her. Malik set down the book and dashed over to the door, where Marie could talk him quietly to some customers who sounded very unhappy. “No, not oil, little fox.” He took his jacket off, wrapping it around her shoulders and walking her down the hall quickly. He ushered her inside the room Malik wanted her in, leaving her with his jacket as he rushed back out to the main lobby to help clean up the sudden mess. 

She didn’t understand what the issue was. She saw the pedestal she was supposed to stand on, shrugging off Jack’s jacket as she approached it and stood in the center. There were five mirrors, each showing different sides of her. It was disorientating to look at herself like this, but she circled herself in the mirrors to inspect every inch of her body. There was no oil stain on her, certainly no sign that she didn’t wipe correctly, and absolutely no indication of any egregious injury that required that much dramatic flair from the pair. Her gaze fell upon Jack as he returned with Malik, the pair of them sharing the load of fabric books. Malik looked at her inspecting herself, his eyes wide with sadness. 

“What’s the problem?” She asked the both of them, looking herself over once more. This time, she checked the bottoms of her feet, wondering if somehow oil soaked into her boots without her noticing. 

“Your back.” Malik whispered. “My dear girl, I’m so sorry…” 

“My back?” she asked, looking at her scars. “What’s wrong with it?” She saw Jack’s eyes widen at her words, and not in a good way. They spoke of anger, and she was afraid she had done something wrong. “Should I put the jacket back on?” 

“...no.” Jack muttered, picking up the article of clothing and sitting in the chair where it once was. “Don’t worry about it, little fox. It's nothing you did wrong.” Malik took her hand and positioned her in the center of the pedestal, adjusting her to his liking so he could get the measurements quickly. “Absolutely nothing you did wrong, my dear.” 

Malik worked quickly, picking up a nearby tablet to write out dimensions on a blank, base figure. He was very careful with anything regarding her back, almost too scared to touch her. His reactions made Marie feel strange, like she should apologize for his discomfort about her. But, that felt wrong . Why should she have to apologize about her physical attributes to anyone?  Her choice or not, every inch of her skin was her and she wasn’t going to suppress herself for the comfort of others. 

Malik finished up by aiming his tablet at her to capture a picture of her face, and all full body sides of her. He turned to Jack, his voice shaky, “I’ll send you some initial sketches tonight. And we can go from there.” Without an approval for dismissal, Malik gathered his belongings and turned to Marie, “My dear, it has been…” He paused, some tears in his eyes. “An absolute treasure to meet you.” 

She watched him walk out, then turned to Jack curiously. “Did I do something wrong?” 

“No.” Jack admitted through gritted teeth. “Go…go change back. We’ll go for a walk and I’ll explain.” 

When she changed back into her daily attire, she found Jack and Malik in the lobby, at the designer’s desk. A few other people were already in the store, stealing judgemental glances at her as she approached the pair at the desk. Jack regarded her with a glance, wrapping an arm around her waist as he finished his conversation with Malik about payment and then guided her out of the store. She turned to see Malik’s tearful gaze lingering on her as they walked past the large window, only for the man to break his trance off her as they vanished beyond the store’s borders. 

“We had no idea about your back, Marie.” Jack whispered to her, his arm still around her waist as they walked down the street. “If we even made you the slightest bit uncomfortable, please say something.” 

“I didn’t like the fabric itching my scars.” She admitted, reaching back to scratch again. “That’s honestly about it.” 

“Seriously?” Jack asked. “You’re okay with your back on display like that?” She gave him a noncommittal shrug, still not quite understanding the hangup over her scars. “If I find out you’re lying to me about this-” 

“Do you apologize for your mask?” She asked, watching Jack’s eyes widen momentarily as she brought up his face cover. “Do you apologize for the tattoo on your wrist?” 

“Of course not!” He hissed at her, a moment of anger flaring up in his voice. “It's my body! Why-” 

“Then you understand me.” Marie interrupted him again, watching Jack purse his lips. “It may make others uncomfortable, but it doesn’t upset me. It's a reminder of how I survived for so long. How resilient my body has become.” Jack’s hand on her waist tightened a little bit, guiding her down another sidewalk as she continued. “I’m sorry if the image upset Malik. Maybe next time-” 

“It wasn’t you that upset Malik.” Jack interrupted this time, his voice barely above a whisper. “Malik was once a slave , dear.” His eyes turned down to her, whatever memory Jack had of Malik was drawing an unpleasant frown on his face. “When I met him, he was the personal whipping man of the Darlington family. They owned the methane mines on Elpis on behalf of the Dahl corporation.” Marie had a vague memory of them, as there was once fear-filled among the Proteus factory lines discussing about the nobility class working them harder to compete with the new company. “Malik had a talent for sewing, and often the lady of the house would beat him if she was displeased with the work he produced. She had extremely high expectations.

I took my time to try and win them over. I wanted to buy and free him. And the others.” He whispered quietly. “I guess whatever I offered her was really insulting, because she pulled her pistol on me and shot my leg.” 

“ Jesus, Saint Mary, and Fucking Joseph .” Marie gasped. “So, how the fuck-” 

“I killed her.” Jack admitted. “And by doing that, I freed Malik and the others. I paid off the galactic court to overlook their status as ‘ indentured servants’ and kept them as free. Malik offered to work for me afterwards, and I couldn’t turn him away. I knew that I could at least give him stability while he got back on his feet.” He gave a soft smile. “Then he got big in his business and remained. Now…he’s a friend.” Jack’s hand rose from her waist to the small curve of her lower back, tracing where a scar was. “He has these like you do, little fox. He knows how they can hurt long after they’re healed.” 

“So you do have a big heart under all that gruff exterior.” Marie laughed a little, trying to lighten the mood. “Knew you weren’t as bad as everyone on Pandora makes you out to be.” 

“See, you get it.” Jack smiled at her, turning a corner and then his grin turned into a scowl. “Oh, fucking god dammit . I told them to move the watering until tomorrow! Fucking shitheads! ” 

The sound was new to Marie. Like a hundred different showers all happening at the same time, no human voices to muddle the sound. There was a very unusual, random pattern metallic sound that accompanied the pitter-patter sound. Jack had brought her to a garden area that was separated from the hustle and bustle of the shopping district, and judging by the stone benches and beautiful statues it was meant to be a place where one could relax and take a break from the overstimulating sensations of the crowds. However, because of the water that poured from the sky, no one was around the garden to view such breathtaking beauty. Marie inhaled deeply after she took a curious first sniff, the pleasant musky aroma combined with the floral fragrances of the various flowers planted soothed her in a way like nothing else had before. She heard Jack mumbling curses under his breath, his hand let go of her waist as he fiddled with his ECHO device to, very likely, yell at whoever was responsible for the miscommunication issue. But she ignored his bitter tone, taking a few steps into the downpour in pure awe. 

Jack finally noticed her, looking up from his screen in surprise. “Little fox?” 

“Is this rain?” She asked quietly, staring up at the ceiling where dozens of sprinklers showered the water down onto the garden. “Is this what rain feels like?” She closed her eyes and raised her arms up, cupping her hands together to catch some of the drops in her palms. 

“You’ve never seen rain before?” Jack asked quietly from the safety of the sidewalk, and she could hear him put away his ECHo device. “It rains on Pandora, sometimes.” 

“Didn’t rain when I was there.” She said, enjoying the feeling. The water was cool on her skin, gentle and soothing. “This would, honestly, be my first time experiencing something this close to the real thing.” She could hear Jack approach her, opening her eyes just in time to see him throw his blazer over her head, a soft look in his eyes she couldn’t quite name the emotion of. 

“You’re gonna get sick if you stay in this rain without a jacket on.” He teased her, his hand reaching for hers and pulling her fingers to lace with his, spilling the rain water she was collecting. “But since you’re already wet, I wanted to show you something.” He ushered her along the stone path with him, Marie using her free hand to adjust the new garment around her shoulders. She eyed the beautiful, bright flowers of various colors and types they passed. Water pouted from their petals like nature’s faucets, spilling onto the ground below where small round metal domes chimed as the liquid splattered. There were trees with beautifully colored floral leaves, Marie particularly liking the purple variety that drooped and swayed, reaching up to touch the wet softness. 

Jack guided her to the other side of the garden, where a section had been gated off by a sign that read ‘ Under Development . Do not touch.’ Jack let go of her hand and returned it to his original position on her waist, holding her close as he showed her the flowers that were growing. By the sight of them, they were roses in shape, but not in color. The center was a bright, beautiful crimson red, fading out and swirling into a stripped black and white pattern that was mesmerising. 

“I made these for you.” He whispered, lips close to her ear. “As a welcome home present.” He reached over the gate and plucked one that was in full bloom, using his teeth to bite the thorns off before tucking the stem behind her ear. “They’ve been dubbed The Iron Rose in honor of you.” 

Marie reached up to gently brush the tips of her fingers against the rose in her hair, then looked back to the bush that was growing. “They’re gorgeous, Jack.” 

“I plan on having these babies potted throughout Helios.” He murmured to her, turning his attention back to the flowers. “There’s a couple dozen bushes growing in the private garden for the debut ball using the accelerated fertilizer. This one’s the first to be for public viewing, though.” His hand raised up from her waist to hold her by her shoulder, his touch a tad more gentle with her. 

There was the sound of a branch crunching behind them, and Jack snapped his head back to see who dared to disturb their moment. Behind them was a man in a business suit, black hair slicked perfectly back and untouched by the rain with the teal-colored umbrella over his head. He stared at the pair, specifically taking a very long look at Marie, before turning to Jack and smiled, “Mister Jack, fancy seeing you here. Am I interrupting something?” 

“Katagawa.” Jack returned the smile, holding Marie close. “No, not really. How can I help you?” 

“I’m here because of the scheduled contract renewal. My father sent me in his stead.” He bowed to Jack. “I couldn’t help but want to wander through the gardens before our meeting, sir. So, please, accept my apologies.” 

“You’re perfectly fine .” Jack said through gritted teeth, playing nice with this young man. 

Katagawa approached the pair, standing on the free side of Marie to admire the new addition to the garden. Marie took a better look at him, noticing that his right eye was replaced with an implant like Rhys’, except his iris had a bright orange “M” instead of color. There was also a white “M” pinned to his teal collar under his suit jacket, an orange triangle pointed down between the arches. His face was turned to the roses, but his gaze was kept on Marie’s. 

“Beautiful garden, as always.” Katagawa said, adjusting his umbrella slightly so that it partly shielded Marie from the synthetic rain. “You’ve always had an eye for hidden gems, though. Haven’t you, Jack?” His face lips turned into a smirk, pulling his umbrella back and turning on his heels to walk off. “I’ll be seeing you tomorrow for the contract discussion, sir. Enjoy your time with your lovely wife.” 

Chapter Text

The first batch of clothes had arrived only a few days later, each outfit in its own box wrapped with a beautiful black and gold bow. Jack had been summoned to the Hyperion-owned city, Opportunity, on Pandora; so he was not able to inspect the clothes that Malik sent. He did, however, summon Aurelia in his place and also asked Tim to be present to take photos of Marie in the outfits, but also to support her when Aurelia was being too much. 

For a good portion of an hour, Marie felt like she finally understood what being a mannequin felt like. Aurelia opened one box after another, like this was her Christmas that came early, shoving some in Marie’s hands and placing others on a table like she was discarding trash. Marie didn’t get much of a chance to look at the ones not given to her, as Aurelia immediately called one of the many staff members to have the boxes sent to Jack’s room for further review as soon as another box was shoved into her arms. At several points throughout the sessions. Marie noticed that Tim had been dragged over to that table to look at the discarded clothing, and that he looked either just as concerned as Aurelia or confused as fuck. 

After the fifth outfit she tried on - a yellow and black pinstripe blouse with a black, long, high-waisted skirt that had a solid gold “H” pin by her hip opposite of the very long leg slit - she was feeling fed up. She walked out of the changing room wearing the outfit, expecting Aurelia to fuss over how she was wearing the skirt or how she had her shirt on, but instead…quiet. Aurelia and Tim were standing at where the batch of clothes had been deposited, where a single box laid between them. Aurelia had her arms crossed, looking down at the garment with an incredulous stare. Tim, with his hands on his hips, looked puzzled at the box. 

“What is it?” Marie asked, approaching the pair. “Wrong box sent to us?” 

Aurelia scoffed. “Malik would never, don’t be stupid.” She raised one hand to tap at the side of her cheek in thought. “I was expecting something a little more…flashy is all.” 

“Did Jack really request this one?” Tim asked, looking over the note. “I’m not buying it.” 

Marie glanced between the pair curiously, her steps light as she inched closer to the table. She was expecting something more like Jack; Hyperion gold, tan and white, comfort but still snazzy. Instead, she saw the shimmer of satin and the color red…a very distinct color of red. 

Specifically, Mordecai’s shade of red he wore. 

Marie backed up from the table, shaking her head. “I don’t want to wear that.” 

Aurelia looked at her, lips pressed out together as she looked the younger woman over. “Come again?” she chided, “Your husband requested this specifically for you and you don’t want to wear it?” She eyed the article in the box, like one would look at day-old donuts. “Why?” 

“Its the color.” Marie stated quietly. “It reminds me of…someone. I don’t want to associate myself with them anymore.” 

Tim looked between Marie and the box, his eyes widening as the pieces clicked into place. “Oh, that asshole.” 

“Oh, please, continue leaving me out of this conversation! I do so love not knowing context!” Aurelia huffed, snapping her fingers. “Tim. Story time. Now. Before I get that mangey mutt in here to lick your socks again.” 

“Don’t summon the skag pup.” Tim sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “Mordecai’s signature scarf? It's that same shade of red.” 

Aurelia swirled her hand in the air in a grand flourish. “And we should care…why?” 

“He’s the person who held me at gunpoint on Pandora?” Marie said. “The…ex-lover who brainwashed me?” Debatable. “Guy stole my first kiss and my first time.” 

Aurelia’s eyes lit up, and a sly smile crossed her face. She eyed the piece again, like a cat who understood that its prey was easy pickings. “Oh, Jack. You darling little man.” Aurelia hummed, sounding pleased. She grabbed the box and thrusted it to Marie. “You are absolutely putting this on, now.” 

“I just said I didn’t want to.” Marie said, pushing the box back into Aurelia’s hands. “Not that color. Why is it that you want me to wear this? Why does Jack? I don’t want to be associated with Mordecai ever again.” 

Mordecai had been someone Marie trusted once. She believed him when he said he loved her, that he was falling for her, that he cared. She had chalked up their very rough start to her being Handsome Jack’s wife and Mordecai being part of the Crimson Raiders, the faction that was currently rebelling and waging war on Jack and Hyperion. Over the course of a couple of months, Mordecai had wormed his way into her mind until Marie truly believed he wanted her around. That he actually cared. 

She probably would’ve still been down on Pandora with him, playing the idiot girlfriend part, had she not overheard Mordecai’s conversation with Roland. That their relationship - that his feelings for Marie - was all a job. He’d been paid to take her out to Thousand Cuts, where her brother was with his partner, and get her to join the rebellion. 

To wear Mordecai’s color? Now that she has come back to Hyperion? It felt like slapping Jack in the face. So why in the hell did Jack ask Malik to sew this up for Marie? 

Aurelia’s gaze turned predatory, and her smirk grew wicked as she set the box down. “Oh, you poor darling. That’s exactly why Jack wants you to wear it. It's a power move, my dear.” 

Aurelia’s perfectly manicured nails brushed against the texture of the red cloth, only to snatch it roughly and hold it up for Marie to see. It was a button-up shirt with golden accented swirls along the hems, fine and delicate. The color shimmered under the light like fresh blood, and Aurelia held the garment up against Marie’s face, the cold softness brushing against the younger woman’s rough cheeks. “Honestly, darling, I expected more thinking on your behalf before you opened your mouth. For someone who survived behind enemy lines for nearly five months? You can be quite dense.” 

Marie looked at Aurelia, both insulted and dumbfounded at the older woman’s harsh tongue. Aurelia caught sight of Marie so open with her emotions and continued, “Jack wants you to own this color, dear. He wants you to walk through Opportunity and Helios wearing this so Mordecai can see you; because oh, he will see you in this; know you perched yourself with a better flock, and choke on every thread as you sit on Jack’s lap.” She brought Marie over to a shorter mirror, showing how the red color looked against her skin as she draped the shirt across her front and hid the current blouse with it. “This is your husband saying, ‘See that pathetic little man that drinks himself to death in the corners of the dingiest bars on Pandora? This goddess I have at my side used to be his, see how I treat her better.’ And Mordecai will understand the gravity of his mistake, both in lying to you and losing you to Jack.” 

She gently shoved Marie back towards the dressing room, box in her hand and the shirt still draped across her front like a barber’s cape. “Now, stop insulting Malik and your husband. Go put it on, or I will start feeding your ECHO cards with those books you love so much to Greebo.” 

Marie clutched the box to her chest and quickly went back into the dressing room now that her beloved books were threatened. She shut the door behind her and unpacked the box, laying out the other articles of clothing on the seat then undressing herself from the elegant attire she currently had on. Underneath the red shirt was a lace-lined bustier corset, the sides in sheer black and lined with thick gold thread along the boning and binding. Marie attempted to put it on, knowing that in her books women often had to have help since this was a clothing piece meant to accentuate the breasts. However, she found that this one was not the case as a side zipper fit the garment snug against her flesh. The pants that went with this ensemble were solid black trousers that had suspenders, and the detailed sketch at the bottom showed Marie that the suspenders were supposed to go over the blouse. 

That, and the shirt was supposed to be tucked into the trousers, opened down to the button by the stomach. Marie felt that would push her limits with this attire, so she comfortably buttoned it up until the button right below the corset’s top hem. She exited the dressing room again, this time seeing that Rhys had come in looking miffed with Aurelia. Whatever they were discussing had stopped as she approached, Marie giving a soft, non-committal shrug at them. “So?” She asked, looking between them. “What’s up? If Rhys is here-” 

“Why do you look wrong?” Aurelia huffed, looking at the outfit. “Forget what Rhysie wants, something is off about you in that outfit.” 

“Yeah, it's Mordecai’s color. It looks awful on me.” Marie countered weakly, turning to Rhys. “You look like someone told you that Jack’s favorite whiskey was discontinued.” 

“I wish that was the case.” Rhys sighed. 

Aurelia shoved past everyone, heading into the dressing room. “No, it's not the color. The color is gorgeous on you! Where’s that damn box?” 

Tim shook his head, “We have some stoleaways in the cargo bay from Pandora. Children, this time.” He rubbed the back of his neck, “Jack’s got a protocol for adults - shoot them out of the airlock and let them suffocate in space. But these are kids and-” 

“Eureka!” Aurelia screeched,  heels clicking fast against the solid marble floors as she returned. Immediately, her hands reached for Marie and turned her around, deftly pulling open the blouse down to the naval button and sticking her ice cold hands down her corset to adjust her breasts. “See, this is why you have me around, love! I knew you weren’t wearing it right!” 

Marie’s mouth fell open to utter any sound of protest, but none came through. Instead, she was reduced to a small, wheezy-squeaky mass of human flesh as Aurelia pushed off Marie’s blouse and suspenders to freely grab at her breasts and torso under the corset, deciding that the red garment was getting in the way too much. The older woman eventually deemed her work of pushing Marie’s limited amount of body fat to the top of the bustier, pulling the blouse back on and adjusting the suspender straps to sit comfortably against her shoulders. Aurelia took a few steps back, admiring Marie in her new attire now that it was properly put on. 

“You’ll need heels.” Aurelia hummed, nodding to herself. “And maybe something for that neckline. A necklace or a choker should work nicely.” She grabbed at Marie’s hands and pulled her to sit down on the chaise lounge, heading into the closet to find shoes for Marie to wear. “Nothing too tall, otherwise you’ll look like a clown when walking.” 

Marie could hardly refocus her attention to Rhys and Tim, still discussing the stowaway children, as Aurelia came back out with black, low-heel sandals. She set the box of shoes down, helping Marie put them on before tugging the girl up and standing her on the pedestal with the full-view mirrors. “There!” Aurelia smiled, nodding at Marie. “Much better, darling!” 

As Marie eyed her reflection, she had to hand it to Aurelia; she did look better like this. The corset drew attention to her torso, making her look longer and taller than she was. More intimidating. The additional height from the heels helped with that illusion, too. For a moment, Marie really believed that she could go through with wearing this. 

Until she looked down at her hands by themselves, and could only see the memory of Mordecai’s scarf wrapped around her wrists again. 

“...I can’t do this.” Marie murmured, earning Aurelia’s cold gaze once more. “I love this outfit, I feel good in it. Amazing, even. But the color-” 

“The color is what makes the outfit my dear.” Aurelia interrupted harshly, looking between Marie and the bowl of chocolate bonbons nearby. She reached for one, holding it up, the beautifully wrapped treat almost shining like a ruby in the light. “Revenge, my dear, is like candy. It is to be packaged beautifully,” Aurelia started to pull the wrapper apart, the metallic red catching the last bits of light before it was crumpled up, “To be unwrapped slowly and delicately,” She plucked the chocolate sphere from its cradle, stuffing it in her mouth, towards one side of her cheek. “Then to be savored as thoroughly as possible. You’re still in the packaged stage, darling.” 

Aurelia grabbed another piece from the bowl, handing it to Marie. “Enjoy yourself at this moment of the game, dear. By the time you get to the end? You’ll wish you were here once again just to live it all over.” 

Marie stared at the treat in her hands, repeating Aurelia’s actions. Unwrapping slowly, delicately, and popping the chocolate into her mouth. The taste of dark chocolate, mocha, and raspberry swirled on her tongue; surprisingly bitter and beautifully sweet. She didn’t chew, just let the taste melt and coat her mouth and teeth like it would be the last time she’d enjoy such a treat. 

And when it was over? Marie had to admit that Aurelia was right. She wanted to be at the start of enjoying that treat correctly the first time. To savor it all over again. 

Her attention was turned back to Tim and Rhys, with Tim looking increasingly flustered and Rhys looking down at the floor like the marbling was the most interesting damn thing in the world. It didn’t register to her that Aurelia had practically fondled her breasts in front of two men, who might have found the scene very erotic. Very quickly, maybe almost too quickly, she spoke, “What was decided about the kids?” 

“Nothing yet.” Rhys cleared his throat, pulling out his tablet to scroll through the messages. “We actually need you.” 

“I’m afraid to ask which one of you voted to kick the kids out of the airlock.” Marie said sternly, only for the men to whip their heads in her direction. 

“Neither! Jesus Christ, we’re not monsters!” Tim exhaled, appalled. “No, the kids are asking for you. They said they knew you. And from what some of the stuff you’ve said, I mean-” 

“Get to the point!” Aurelia threw her hand up to stop Tim’s rambling. “And don’t be harsh on her, Tim. Sometimes you want to murder kittens, remember?” 

Rhys spoke over Tim and Aurelia arguing, “The kid’s are named Odie and Tina. I know from your records, you’ve associated with Tina on Pandora. But Odie-” 

Marie was immediately fast-walking to the door, ignoring Aurelia’s calls for her and Tim’s presence by her side as he jogged after her. Her heels clicked sharp against the floor, back straight and a stern look on her face that made the staff part before her, like Moses parting the Red Sea. Everyone knew that face, the one that was everyone’s shared nightmare.

The face of a piss-off parent.