Deerington Inbox

[incandescentfaith]

Hello, you've reached Rei Hino.
I'm sorry to have missed you.

Please leave a message and I'll contact you as I am able.

Comments

[mypartnerintime]

I think so. I hope so! How would I know?

I'm glad too. Now I just have to figure out how to face everyone after that disaster..

But you first. I really am sorry, Rei. You've done so much for me and I treated you like shit.

...I guess I was. I still am in pain. This cure is seriously stretching my limits.

[incandescentfaith]

That wasn't you.

That was something else.

I'm not angry with you, if that's what you're worried about.

[mypartnerintime]

thank you...

can we please do something nice soon? i owe you that much.

Also, you can tell me about Mars! The person and the place. :)

[incandescentfaith]

We can, yes? Of course?

And what do you want to know? That's a really broad request.

does chloe know you're using emoji? I think that freaks her out

[mypartnerintime]

uh, i'm kinda stuck at home but i'm pretty sure there's some cookies here we can share...?

I don't know. i've never been faced with a... martian (?) before. I'm sure i'll think of something to ask...!

fortunately she's out cold so her emoji radar is off

[incandescentfaith]

You mean now, then?

I don't mind.

[mypartnerintime]

...yes

...please

anything to keep me out of my own head! do you mind?

[incandescentfaith]

Leave a window open.

[mypartnerintime]

Way ahead of you!

[The air outside is feezing cold, but Max appreciates the fresh air. Plus she's all bundled up in her bed anyway. It's cozy.

There's the light, tingling sensation of nervousness as she waits for Rei, though. She's not excited to talk to anyone that Mirror-Max annoyed, but... this is probably for yhr best. And Rei is sweet.]

[incandescentfaith]

[Rei...or rather Mars...appears at the window a moment later. Drifting inside, she lands lightly and shifts, becoming the young woman again, and not the alien goddess. Drawing the window closed part way behind her, she smiles over at Max.]

You wanted to see me?

[mypartnerintime]

[Well, Mars sure did just fly into the room.

Max stares with obvious awe, which breaks as the woman turns back into Rei. It's a quick shift from superhero to friend. Max looks almost embarrassed by her reaction. She reaches up to rub the back of her neck.]

Yeah. I guess... I never really got to thank you properly for... Uh. The sinkhole.

[She doesn't like talking about it.]

And to say sorry in person. For the virus.

[incandescentfaith]

Yeah. But there's no need to do either of those things.

[Rei laughs softly, strolling over to take a seat on something, folding hands in her lap.]

It's fine, Max. I did what I'm supposed to do. I have power...but it's to protect humanity.

[mypartnerintime]

[Max stares at her with a bit of concern.]

...That's it? You're really not mad?

[She didn't really believe it until Rei laughed just now.]

[incandescentfaith]

I'm not mad at you, no. You couldn't help yourself.

And more importantly, you didn't give away my secret. Everyone at the party already knew.

[mypartnerintime]

Uh. Right.

[She shifts uncomfortably.]

Speaking of which... Mars?

[The word is laden with a questioning tone. There's so much to ask and to talk about that she doesn't even know where to start.]

[incandescentfaith]

Yes. Mars. The planet or the woman?

[is she teasing Max? maaaaybe a little.]

[mypartnerintime]

[What is with all these people teasing a recovering sick woman!

Max laughs a little. It feels good after the hell that was February.]

I guess the woman... How did it happen? I mean, were you always...?

[She vaguel gestures at Rei herself.]

[incandescentfaith]

Oh. Right.

[She hums thoughtfully...]

...Mars is my past life. She was born on the planet Mars, and she's the guardian goddess of the planet. I think I said that before. And since it's a past life, it's probably pretty clear that she died.

[Rei doesn't seem put off or upset or stumbling over the word...which probably says something about how she's handled it.]

She reincarnated. Into me, though I didn't know it until I was fourteen. An enemy of humankind resurfaced, a demon that dwelt in the sun. One of it's minions abducted me, and my powers awakened, and I killed him.

[mypartnerintime]

[Normally Max would grimace at the mention of killing anyone, but this is regarding a demon that lived in the sun, so she feels like it's justified.]

It doesn't bother you? That you're also Mars? [She frowns.] It would bother me.

[incandescentfaith]

No? Why would it?

[She smiles, but it's muted.]

Max. I have a literal unborn star in my chest. I'm a god. I have power, and responsibility. I wasn't ever going to not have that double life. So I accepted it.

[mypartnerintime]

...

[Max sets a rather gentle smile in Rei's direction.]

For the record, I like Rei-the-short more than I like Mars-the-tall.

[It's true. She gets along with the human better than the martian.]

[incandescentfaith]

You just like being taller.

[Rei winks.]

I understand what you're trying to say though. Really. I'm not bothered by Mars. I'm just...it's who I am, in the same way that you are who you are.

[mypartnerintime]

[She laughs again.] I invoke my right to silence. [...It is nice being taller, though.]

And I guess I understand that. It's not like... like me and Mirror-Max. [She pauses. It's not a topic she wants to delve into. She looks Rei in the eyes.] You're a really good friend, Rei. Do you know that?

[incandescentfaith]

I do.

[Rei's smile softens, and she exhales a quick breath.]

I know that's probably an unexpected answer, but I know I'm a good friend. I've...tried hard to be good for the people here, though.

[mypartnerintime]

[One corner of Max's mouth picks up in a smile. That's a very Rei answer, isn't it? Well it's also the truth.]

Yeah. You were looking out for me. Even when I thought I was Mirror-Max. And what happened at the Glass with you and Chloe, I don't... I mean, I get it. I think.