The Unseen

“I’ll be sure to, once I see him again. He and I… aren’t as close as we used to be now. I’m travelling new horizons, and he’s got things to take care of where he came from. But… I’ll let him know.” She smiled, and sighed. “Take… Take care of yourself, won’t you, Vraska?” 

Vraska began to turn away. “I will.” She gave an odd sort of half smile. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” 

“I… I know it isn’t. I only return for the few friends I yet have there, but… I’ve found homes beyond. I hope, Vraska, that you do, as well. Find homes, I mean. Not just one, but many places where you can feel safe, and loved. People you can feel safe and loved with, in all the ways that love exists.” The girl closed her eyes, and sighed. “If we ever see one another out there, in the great infinite, please… know you can approach without fear. Maybe I’ll have other friends with me, and you can meet them. I’ll only tell them the good stories about you… I promise.”

“I can approach you without fear?” She laughed. “My, how times have changed.”

Her expression softened, mixed with hints of regret. “I don’t know how much I can get way from Ravnica now. I’ve given myself certain...obligations. Things I can’t just walk away from.”

She trailed off, unwilling to detail her situation any further. Hastily, she changed the subject.

“During the conflict, I noticed your friend. the dr-” She reconsidered. “Sarkhan. I didn’t approach him. You understand. If you see him, tell him...well, tell him you and I have...” 

She was met with memories of what had transpired. Ann wasn’t necessarily bothered by the mild intrusion, knowing it wasn’t going to end with Vraska probing deeply. Instead, she offered up bits of happiness, sweetness, Ann’s reasons to be strong, and the people that encouraged her to be herself.

Sitting at dinner with a pair of blonde girls, and so many others, smiling faces as they passed food down the table. The one with pigtails elbowing her and laughing brightly. A girl Ann would kill for, would die to protect. A bickering pair- silver hair, or gold eyes? Strong and safe, ones Ann didn’t have to worry about, ones she could feel comfortable in leaving be for a while. And before them, almost to start with- a run down apartment and a man with broad hands. She wasn’t needed- no, he was strong enough on his own- but he said he wanted her there. Wanted…

Wanted and loved. Reasons to find strength. Confidence enough to use it.

“Yeah. I just needed… some honest encouragement, that I could do it without needing to be someone I didn’t want to.”

Vraska unconsciously took a step back, and removed her presence from Ann’s mind. 

“Well, you were trying to teach me, in your own ways. Maybe for your own ends, too, but also because you wanted me to be stronger. Out of all the ‘Walkers I know, Vraska… You’re the one I know remembers what it’s like to be weak… And that’s a good thing. I know you’ll do what’s best for the Golgari, from now on, towards a brighter future for all of them.” The once sullen girl smiled brightly, unafraid to gaze into the older Ravnican’s eyes.

Interesting, thought Vraska. She seems so different from before. What was she doing while I was so occupied on Ravnica?

“It seems some of the lessons stuck. At least some of the positive ones. Using the gifts you were born with...”

Her eyes narrowed as the gorgon concocted an idea. She remembered that Ann’s specialty was mental magic, but with this change in demeanor, Vraska wondered if her abilities had changed as well. Her own mental skills were limited at best, no matter how much Damia had tried to teach her. But Vraska knew enough to make a probing presence of herself known in another’s mind. 

Hasn’t it?

I am indeed still here, mortals.

Go on, indulge me with your burning questions. I would so enjoy hearing from you all again!

And I just know you all would love to hear from me.

Painfully yours,

Hasn’t it?

I am indeed still here, mortals.

Go on, indulge me with your burning questions. I would so enjoy hearing from you all again!

And I just know you all would love to hear from me.

Painfully yours,

“So, I assume you’re not gonna tell me who’s back there huh?” she asked, the question mostly rhetorical. “Guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

Chandra had kept the full weight of her arm around the man’s shoulders. Intimidation was always the best part of these little missions she took upon herself. She hummed quietly, blissfully unaware of the impending danger until the very obvious writhing tendrils crawled from the hooded figure. Her heart rate spiked and as she shoved the man aside and charged towards them, she hoped to gods that it wasn’t who she thought it was.

Still, she channeled her mana, flames engulfing her hands and forearms, her eyes taking on a fiery red color.

The spy ran towards Vraska, intent on putting the gorgon between himself and the pyromancer. Vraska cursed under her breath, reached up and pulled her hood away. Though her veil still covered her eyes, there was no mistaking the gorgon now.

The spy ducked behind his employer, sputtering apologies. “Calm yourself,” Vraska spat. “I’m not going to kill you. Not as long as you get out of my sight while I deal with this. Just don’t go telling anyone that I’m merciful.” She swatted his chest with the back of her hand. “Go before I change my mind.”

The man did as he was told, and fled. Vraska turned back to Chandra’s advancing form with a deep frown.