Kua’kua was not thrilled with the weather here on Earth, or in Destiny City specifically, anyway - people kept telling her that other parts of the planet were warmer, more suited to her needs, and genuinely lovely at this time of the year, but that just made her wonder why she was here instead of any of those places.

She knew the answer: here was where she was needed. Villains - monstrous and humanoid and otherwise - prowled the streets, and as much as she might want to, she couldn’t abandon her duty to soak up the sun somewhere else.

So Kua’kua shivered, in spite of several jackets and sweaters and sweatshirts piled on top of her Senshi uniform, and made her way through the city, keeping her eyes and ears open for enemies.

…or friends?

“Aurelia?” Kua’kua called, as a figure disappeared around the corner of an alleyway. It couldn’t be - it couldn’t be Aurelia, she knew that, logically. That if it was Aurelia something truly inexplicable - by way of science or magic - had taken place, but…the feeling of crazed hope surged through her and the word escaped almost of its own volition, her feet moved toward familiarity like an Earthen moth to a flame.

“Aurelia, is that–”

Lena Roze
The weather had turned bitter cold finally, and it bit at the exposed skin of the Senshi of Landslides. No matter how much she rubbed at her bare arms, Aruna couldn't help but shiver as a stiff breeze hit her. She would much rather be off planet on Aruna or curled up in her apartment, but she had a duty to perform. Damned responsibilities.

Rounding a corner, a voice met her ears from behind her, calling a name she had only heard on her planet in the memories she recovered. Aurelia. The name of the woman who previously held the starseed of Aruna, the previous incarnation of herself.

Frowning to herself, Aruna paused to briefly consider her options. Whoever it was, they sounded…. Hopeful? Surprised? Something in between? Something in her heart ached at whatever it was in the voice that called out to her, regardless.

Turning back towards the voice, Aruna traced her steps and emerged from the alley, tilting her head curiously as a quite alien looking woman approached. A deep space senshi, she realized. Like Grieve and Chang’E. That tracked, if she was mistaking her for the previous Aruna.

Giving her a small, soft smile, Aruna watched as she approached. “Hello.”


Kua’kua caught up to the figure, her breath coming quick as she rounded the corner. If it was Aurelia, finally, someone she knew--

Oh.

It was not Aurelia.

Kua’kua deflated, disappointment clear on her bluegreen face, in her golden eyes.

“Hello,” Kua’kua greeted, a soft, sad smile on her face as she spoke. “My name is Sailor Kua’kua, of Hellebore. I–are you the Senshi of Landslides?” Kua’kua asked, taking in the uniform, the colors. She had to be. “If so, I–I believe I knew your…” Kua’kua paused, unsure of the correct Earthen English word, “predecessor,” she settled on after a moment or two.

“I apologize. I did not mean to disrupt your evening.” She felt slightly embarrassed of her outburst. “Forgive the interruption, please.”

Lena Roze
Aruna's smile was gentle as she listened. ”I am Sailor Aruna, yes.” Her chest felt tight, feeling almost guilty for her disappointment. The girl before her felt so familiar, so it did stand to reason that she was someone Aurelia had known.

Shaking her head, Aruna gave her a bit brighter of a smile. ”You didn't disrupt or interrupt anything, I promise. You….knew Aurelia well, I take it? If you don't want to talk about it, or if it's too sore of a subject, I completely understand.”


“Not–so very well,” Kua’kua admitted, a little further embarrassed by her reaction in the wake of that admission. “But - when the…plague, for lack of a better word, began to impact my planet, she…paid a visit. To assist with the…” Kua’kua swallowed, eyes glancing down as memories swarmed before her eyes.

There had been so much death. There had been so much death.

It had - helped. For a little while. To have another Senshi there. But eventually, Aurelia had to go home. She had wanted to stay, to keep helping, but when she’d begun to realize the scale of the problem, Kua’kua had sent her home, one of the last shuttles to leave Kua’kua the planet; she would not be responsible for the death of another Senshi, if it could be avoided.

Kua’kua swallowed and shook her head slightly, refocused on the Senshi in front of her. So familiar, so different. It was - strange. So strange.

“She was a friend, in a dark time,” Kua’kua amended, with a light, sad smile. “In her honor, I extend friendship to you, Sailor Aruna. May I be of assistance to you?”

Lena Roze
With the final rites. Aruna nodded solemnly. She knew Aurelia had presided over them on her own planet, but leaving to do so on another planet for an extended period of time was news to her. ”I'm sorry…I didn't mean to bring up painful memories. But if it's any comfort, if Aurelia left her planet to do that, you must have meant a good deal to her. She rarely ever left for more than a day or two, from the memories I've seen.”

She smiled softly, reaching out to gently touch the woman's shoulder in comfort. ”I'm honored, Kua’kua, thank you.” It was heartwarming to know that the bond Aurelia had with this senshi lasted after so, so long. ”I was mostly just patrolling for the night. If you would like to, you're more than welcome to join me?” Taking in the bundled state of her, Aruna had a better idea. ”Or if you would prefer, we could go to my apartment and I could make us tea? I would…..like to hear about your planet, and about your people, if you would be amenable to sharing?” She wanted to know more and more about Aurelia, and if Kua’kua was important to her, she wanted to know whatever she could learn.


Kua’kua’s heart ached for a moment; old memories playing like shadows underneath her current reality. Had Aurelia’s hand felt like that on her shoulder? Almost. Nearly. It was close. It was close enough.

“I would like that,” Kua’kua said softly, tears welling in her eyes in spite of herself. “I think I would like that very much.”