Mushball universe, anyone who'd like to talk to Jou

[yellowlion]

I sit on the grass in our rear yard, legs crossed, and try to let myself sink into a meditative state. I don't do this very often. It's usually helpful, when I do.

I had the oddest feeling when I first met Joe, that I'd met him before. That this was meant to happen, in some way. Except he should've been wearing a blue leather jacket, and he was in tears, in my lab. Not a shy, troubled schoolkid convinced everything was his fault.

I pushed it aside as a stupid dream. When you have weird-ass dreams all the time anyway it's only too easy to assign meaning to them later.

But now? Now I'm beginning to wonder.

Comments

[yellowlion]

My eyebrows shoot up, and I grip her by the shoulder excitedly. "Tell me. Please." What has she remembered?

[bluedolphin]

"I came to see you, and we were talking about adopting a brother or sister for Katsumi, and then you said ..." I frown. What was it, "a sailor? Pirate?"

[yellowlion]

I puff out my cheeks and exhale, leaning back, staring at her. "I'd stayed in my lab too long and you were far too polite to me about it," I say slowly. There are gaps, so many gaps, but she's helping. "A pirate. I think."

[bluedolphin]

"Yes, a pirate. You said Yuusuke was angry with them. Was it because they're pirates or ..." I think. It's not quite coming back, "did he know them? Do we know them?"

[yellowlion]

I'm on my knees now, peering at her excitedly. "There. Um. There was a group. Visiting different teams. Yuusuke wasn't impressed, no..."

[bluedolphin]

"Why were they visiting?" I can't think of anything they would want. Trophies? Weapons? "There was a ... A queen of a planet? But you didn't talk about her very much. Just the pirate."

[yellowlion]

I blink, let my eyes lose focus, and stare into the distance. "She wore pink. She was... she was part of his team."

I look back at Megumi. "They wanted information? But it was mostly the one in blue, yeah. Information, and my -- our -- good opinion. Our approval."

[bluedolphin]

"But why? They're pirates." None of this makes any sense. I down the last of my now-cold tea in frustration, "I think I remember you mentioning the blue one. You said ..."

There's a flash of unexpected clarity, like in cartoons when a lightbulb goes on above someone's head, "it's Joe. Has to be. You laughed at the name because it sounds like Jou."

[yellowlion]

I swallow, then abruptly scrub a hand through my hair. "We ran to help the same baby, and his friend called out, 'Joe-san', and I responded."

[bluedolphin]

I nod, "That's him, then. Our little Joe ..."

Fresh tears arrive at the thought of that. I still don't know how Joe came to us, but it all seems so cruel for someone to go to that length only to snatch him from us when we'd grown to love him.

[yellowlion]

I slump, shaking my head. It seems so unbelievable. "That's him. I remember thinking how much I'd like to give the poor kid a home if he ever needed one."

[bluedolphin]

"But why?" I murmur, without even noticing I've begun viciously pulling up the grass, "why bring him to us only to take him away? And why can't we remember?" My breath hitches painfully in my chest before I can say any more.

[yellowlion]

"To make sure he had people to look after him?" I ask doubtfully. "We've been used, maybe..."

But even if that's true, I can't say I'd be too angry about it. It's been *good*, having him.

I shake my head. "Maybe one of the Captain's friends."

[bluedolphin]

"Maybe." I sniffle and scrub a hand across the back of my eyes. No matter what Joe decides, I'll always be proud I was his mother, even if it wasn't for long.

I'm not aware of a pitiful murmur of "... my baby ..." escaping my mouth until it's already said.

[yellowlion]

I lose it completely at that, and gather her into a rough hug.

[bluedolphin]

I sniff away into his chest even though it's even closer to the time of Katsumi and Kazari coming home. What if Joe comes looking for us? I can't upset him even more.

I manage another weak "sorry" even though I really need to get up soon and pull myself together.

[yellowlion]

"Stop apologising for caring," I tell her ruefully. I stroke her hair, cup her face in my hands. I kiss her gently on the lips. "We need someone around here who actually knows how to deal with emotions."

[bluedolphin]

"Not much chance of that, then." I lean in for another kiss, then lean against his shoulder, "I know it's selfish of me, but ... I'm gonna miss Joe so much."