Chapter 1: poisoning of a past - ruan mei
Chapter Text
clink.
despite the very slight shaking of her hands, she still pours the serum into the test tube, mixing it in gently. hopefully, this way, it won’t be as effective… strangely enough. should she not be looking for something as potent as possible?
ruan mei shakes the thought out of her mind, placing the tube aside for a moment to cross the room, checking up on the current cultivation of her next creation...
it is hard to ignore her.
hard to ignore her when her stomach shakes and wretches and her heart thumps confusedly. ruan mei will follow through, no matter how much the thought brings bile to her throat. yes. that is the best decision…
ruan mei turns towards the surgical bed in the middle of the room. only a dim light flickers distantly upon the body lying serenely upon the bed, brows loose and untouched. unable to contain her greediness, she drifts towards her.
her beloved gem, her beloved everything.
ruan mei places a gentle hand on jelena’s forehead, admiring the bangs that carefully lick at her fingertips, just out of reach. breathing comes so much easier around her. her love, her fated one...
not anymore.
even having set her cornerstone and most of her outerwear aside, leaving her in nothing but her boots, shorts, and white top, she still looks the same as ever. ruan mei closes her eyes, moving her hand to jelena’s chest, listening to the thrum of her heartbeat.
it calms her. even now. it always has calmed her, the heartbeat of her .
such a strange thought brings a small smile to her face. she moves, brushes the hair out of jelena’s face. the remembrance of memories that ruan mei thought she could hold in her palm forever make her frown, pulling her hand away.
fragile.
aeons are not fragile.
she gets up. love is an illusion. if she hadn’t known before, jelena proved that.
thankfully, the sedative in jelena’s system will keep her in her peaceful state for now. leaving her oh so very pretty for ruan mei to look at. ruan mei yawns, sitting on one of her desks as she rubs her shoulder.
the past few days have been so rough, with her running around so much… although she will be sad to see jelena leave, at least she will not have to burden herself with worry over every slight tick in her heartbeat, every small whimper that leaves her mouth.
ruan mei slumps down, but her eyes do not leave her . it is only when she feels some unprecedented substance touching the skin of her face that she jumps up, looking around curiously for the source. the source–
Her. ruan mei Herself.
the sticky droplets of water running down her face make ruan mei scowl, gritting her teeth together. ah , what is this? how– how idiotic. but when her eyes glance over at jelena, the torment on her face only intensifies.
ruan mei wipes at the water staining her face, turning her back on her. “no use, no use for such idiocracy…”
instead, she moves swiftly, tending to the matters around her private lab meticulously. when she is finished, she does not feel relief... because now she can only look at the main presence in her lab.
it is burdening. but, in another way, it is free. she stumbles over to one of the trays, swiping a cigarette off the end. she searches around for a lighter–thinking funnily back on jelena’s flames–until she hurriedly lights it on the stray flames from an experiment, placing it into her mouth.
she collapses onto the side wall, holding the cigarette up with a sigh. it will be done soon. then she is not allowed to worry. she will be useless once again. useless without her fate…
jelena was Her fate. and now that Her fate’s gone… what will happen?
she does not know the answer.
instead, ruan mei steps towards the cot and collapses onto the side.
her fingers gently graze the sides of jelena’s shirt, and she leans forward to embrace her in a last hug. –the warmth instantly spreads through her body–
destiny can be changed, after all.
so what if she changes hers?
Chapter 2: beckoning from a future, I - topaz
Notes:
skdsakndnasidn. omfg topaz and ruan mei brainrot goes crazy
Chapter Text
Her hands brush against the mossy stone as she surveys the area. “Really… I’m supposed to collect the debt from this planet? There’s nothing but moss and plants…” Although they had been searching the moss-green planet for days now, there was nobody to be found.
Apparently, the planet was blessed by the Abundance some time ago, but something had happened, leaving it…
“The planet’s completely abandoned, Senior Director Topaz.” One of her subordinates bows down below her. She looks around carefully. Right... of course.
“Let’s split up until sundown. If we can’t find anyone by then, let’s regroup back here and… decide the next course of action we’ll take,” she puts her hand on her chin, trying to formulate a plan in her head. It’s unlikely anyone will be here, but one last check could be good.
“Yes, Senior Director Topaz!” They shout, dispersing among themselves and gathering their supplies. Her smile twists slightly as she sighs, shaking her head. She adjusts her coat before turning towards her warp trotter.
“Ready, Numby? You’ll have to work as hard as possible!” She mumbles, leaning down and letting them hop up onto her shoulder. Even as she looks out, she can’t help but feel that twist of worry in her gut–
If she happened upon a small child or even just someone who couldn’t pay anything at all.
“That won’t happen,” she reassures herself, muttering quietly, and patting Numby on the shoulder. She stretches out before turning towards a dirty mud road, one that stretched around the building and continued deeper into the forest.
It would probably be wise to check there–most of the others had seemed to miss it, but… “Okay, come on Numby…”
With a determined energy thrumming through her body, she confidently strides forward, keeping care to watch the path as she moves forward. It isn’t long before she reaches the forest, dark cloak enveloping her in its embrace.
She raises a hand, taking a step and–
“What the–” She hisses out, tugging her foot out of the root she had tripped over. She pats Numby carefully, smoothing out his outfit and making sure he’s alright before looking around.
It shouldn’t be anything, but… if the gentle glow emitted from the root tells her anything, she supposes it isn’t normal. Shouldn’t be, for how long they’ve investigated the planet. Topaz follows the root with her eyes, humming gently to herself as her eyes scan the ground.
She jumps slightly when Numby noses her ankle. A surprised huff leaves her mouth when they immediately take off, her feet kicking off the ground as she attempts to keep up. “Just be careful, Numby… and make sure you aren’t taking us to our death…”
Up ahead, she sees Numby squeal suddenly, skidding to a stop. “Num–”
She doesn’t stop in time.
Instead, she skids right on past them, falling into a hole. It appears to descend forever, and despite her scrambling at the sides of the cavern, nothing seems to be working. She closes her eyes, focusing on the warmth building up in her body.
It is what ultimately cushions her body when she slams into a pile of something , body stinging from the impact. She instantly tries to latch onto the power of her cornerstone, feeling the cracking of her battered limbs.
Topaz lies there for a moment, breathing in whimpering breaths. She tilts her head to her shoulder, hoping to activate her communication device, but all she gets is some static crackling. “...delightful.”
She isn’t expecting Numby to jump on down–not that she wants him too–nor anyone to save her. Either she’s going to rot here or save herself. Gently focusing the cornerstone’s power to numb her broken limbs, she stumbles off her landing spot, glancing around.
Strange. These are stone walls. And… There's a door. All the way down here.
The prospect of supplies or a way up makes her perk up slightly, limping over to the door and pressing her ear to it before opening it. Empty, as expected. Although…
She faces the laboratory, crossing her arms curiously. It’s in fairly well-kept shape, and there even seems to be some experiments running right now. Liquids bubble in the test tubes, and she can hear tiny meowing from nearby.
Her brow crinkles, and she goes to the gun at her hip, fingers carefully tapping it. Just in case. Each footstep she takes feels too loud, each labored breath too long. She rounds one of the tables, quickly admiring the meticulous notes before turning her head to another door.
Someone must keep this managed… but who? And where are they? Are they safe to approach?
Topaz can’t recall anyone who’s excited to pay their debt, so it’s pretty easy to knock off that last question, probably… The work is impressive, though. Topaz can’t help but drift towards the papers strewn across the desk.
Although the research isn’t really pertaining to her interests, she finds herself entranced with each word that is laid upon the paper. She begrudgingly admits to herself that it is beautifully written. Topaz debates taking it with her, but decides against it, parting with the paper with a dreaded sigh
She approaches the door, opening it slowly. Only leaving it slightly open, she looks in. Despite being underground, light seems to shine endlessly down the room–Moss overgrows the walls, grass and flowers overtaking the room.
Topaz is near-too charmed to notice the back of someone, sitting upon a rock in the middle. She stills, her hand on her gun tightening. She watches their arm move, and when Topaz strains her ears, she hears the melodious, mellow tone echo through the room. Topaz tilts her head slightly, watching the mysterious woman’s fingers dance across the instrument, plucking the strings with delicate precision.
She takes a step forward.
A discordant note.
A gentle but firm voice arises. The playing continues, even when Topaz fully steps in, shutting the door behind her.
“Director Topaz.”
Topaz tenses up slightly, narrowing her eyes. “And who are you?”
She hears her sigh, lying the instrument down and getting up, dusting her hands off. Topaz examines her outfit. It looks… Xianshou-ish, if that’s anything to go off of.
“Genius Society Member Ruan Mei.”
Oh.
From what Topaz has heard about Ruan Mei, it makes sense why she has a lab here. “Not a native of this planet, then?”
When Ruan Mei turns around, it simply confirms her earlier statement. Topaz has seen her picture many times before. Ruan Mei just smiles awkwardly as she comes closer. “Could be.” Her hands gently reach up, and Topaz finds herself stilled as they brush against her neck, cradling her face for a moment before they leave.
Topaz blinks. The warmth from the gloves Ruan Mei wears does not leave her face. She coughs, clearing her throat. “I’m here to–”
“Collect the debt. I know.”
“Then I hope that isn’t a problem?”
“Of course not. But since you’re here, it would be rude of me to not offer my guest something.”
Topaz frowns, but she forces a smile. “Of course.”
Ruan Mei brushes past her, and Topaz follows her into the laboratory. Ruan Mei pulls out a chair for her, and Topaz obliges, sitting down, and waiting. Ruan Mei crosses the room before returning with something in her hand.
“Simply just a small cupcake I made a bit ago. Please, help yourself… I always have more,” She hums. Topaz eyes it.
“No, thank you. I’m quite alright.”
“Oh, I insist. Please.”
“I came here to talk about the debt of this planet, not take drugged cupcakes.”
Ruan Mei’s eyes widen for a second, but her hand retracts. She puts the cupcake in her mouth, chewing delectably into the soft skin. When she drags a stool out and sits on it, a small chuckle is dragged out of Ruan Mei.
“Observant. Impressive.” Ruan Mei hums, fingers gently tapping the table before she decides to rest her chin on her hands.
“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”
“Oh, of course not. I don’t doubt you for a second.” Ruan Mei hums. Topaz swears she says it teasingly, with the slight quirk of her brow, but her tone is anything but.
“Anyways, about the–”
“I can’t pay it.”
“That’s…” Topaz frowns, “...not how it works.” Her original doubts were now replaced with frustration.
“Ah. No? How come?”
“The money the IPC lent this planet is too much to just forget about. You will be allowed some time to pay it off, obviously, but if need be, I can use some more… forceful methods.”
“Hmm. Of course…” Ruan Mei murmurs, eyes scanning Topaz, brow furrowed in concentration. Topaz crosses her arms.
“So?”
“All in due time. I’m in the middle of a test, if you don’t mind.” Ruan Mei gets up, stretching slightly before walking away, leaving Topaz slightly dumbfounded. The debt was well above any money Topaz could ever hope to gain in her lifetime, and Ruan Mei was just… brushing it off?!
“Oh, and I’ll show you the way out soon. May as well get some rest on one of the cots around here… I might feel generous and fix your legs,” Ruan Mei hums, voice still even and calm even as she moves around, grabbing mixtures and test tubes, tilting her head back slightly to lock eyes with Topaz.
Topaz turns her head away.
…Great. Because she would just love to spend as much time as possible down here.
Chapter 3: collection, conclusion - ruan mei / 2
Notes:
apparently i just had this??? i had 0 idea lol.
Chapter Text
ruan mei looks at the perfect tapestry of veins, running carefully among her skin. she traces them with a finger, before pressing a gentle kiss to jelena’s wrist. her pulse is even, her breathing steady.
ruan mei rises to her feet, collecting jelena’s jacket and fastening it to her, clipping her cornerstone on, and running her fingers through her hair one last time.
she leans forward, body nearly touching jelena’s, but not quite.
her lips press against the shell of her ear.
“time to wake up, Topaz.”
she steps back, gripping onto the memory bubble. the one memokeeper that had given it to her had warned her of tampering–of deleting entire sections-within memories. it was lost on her. not when her beloved had been waiting ever so patiently for her.
she quickly traces her way to one of the doors exiting the room, opening it, and locking it behind her, leaning against it. the first thing she hears is panicked breathing, and the creak of the cot as someone gets up. careful footsteps.
“Hello? Is… is someone there?”
silence.
“...how did I… I need to call Aventurine… he’ll know… or someone…”
ruan mei suppresses delighted shivers at hearing her voice again, so beautifully intact. but it is missing something. obviously. having months of your life fade away, only leaving you blinded and afraid would be scary.
not that it’s ruan mei’s fault that jelena became so attached to her.
and it certainly wasn’t her fault that jelena spent all her free time around her.
-
“Ruan Mei! Ruan Meeei! Come on! I– aeons– ugh–”
her head snaps up instantly, wrist darting up to wrap harshly around herta’s wrist. herta doesn’t jump back, just glares at her before ripping her hand away.
“I thought we were here for a meeting, but something is obviously on your mind.”
“it isn’t important.” she responds, adjusting her gloves before placing her hands on her lap, glancing up to meet herta’s disapproving gaze.
“Right, of course not,” Herta mutters, brow slightly furrowed. She glares at Ruan Mei. Ruan Mei does not return it. Instead, she keeps her gaze even.
“this meeting is over, then?”
“Yes… although last time, oh–or was it the time before that because you didn’t show up? Or the time before that? Or the–anyways, Screwllum wanted to speak with you.” Herta rolls her eyes, and the doll instantly deactivates, staring ahead with dead eyes.
the look is so familiar… the eyes are…
ruan mei gets up, retrieving all her files and sliding them inside her folder before exiting the room, shutting it behind her with a click. she rubs the side of her neck. it feels chilling, like someone’s eyes are upon her.
…even when she reaches the main area of the space station, the feeling persists.
she spots screwllum talking with the lead researcher. they are both seemingly engrossed in a conversation–at least until ruan mei walks up. screwllum excuses himself, apologizing for the interruption. the researcher just laughs, and it isn’t long before she’s dragged off somewhere else.
he clears his throat.
“Ah, Ruan Mei? What can I assist you with?”
“herta informed me that you wanted to talk to me?”
“Oh–yes! Right. The IPC have requested that a few genius society researchers assist them with a recent project at Pier Point. I figured it may… interest you, somewhat.”
ruan mei frowns. “project?”
all she is given is an apologetic smile… or what she would think the expression might look like on a robot such as screwllum. “only the most high-ranking IPC officials know what it truly is. we are just the stepping stones. the researchers.”
“it’ll be considered,” she huffs, turning away. screwllum seems to take a moment.
“I–oh, very well then. One of Herta’s dolls and Genius Society Member #55 will be there, but you'll only be working with Herta. Yu Qingtu will be working in a different area.”
ruan mei taps her arm absentmindedly, before ending up settling with a sharp nod before brushing past screwllum, making her way to the spaceship docks. her eyes are closed.
IPC…
a curved smile makes its way onto her face.
she’ll certainly think about it.
“Miss Ruan Mei?”
she stops, fingers just inches above opening the ship door. gaze instantly darting towards the visitor, her eyes landing on asta. “a pleasure. what do you need?”
“Mr. Screwllum told me to give this to you,” asta approaches, arm extended. ruan mei’s eyes catch on the IPC emblem, symbol burned into it, shimmering brightly even in the dim light of the docking area.
“i… for the project...”
ruan mei takes it, smoothing her fingers over it. has jelena made it? touched it with her own fingers? ruan mei can’t suppress a shiver, and when her eyes dart over to asta, she looks slightly confused, or perhaps even uncomfortable.
“i’ll take my leave now.”
a dare, a challenge. asta just shakes her head, and latches onto herta and arlan the instant they come by, obviously, to arlan’s great relief and herta’s amusement. ruan mei chuckles wryly, successfully opening the ship and stepping into the cockpit, closing it behind her.
coding the coordinates in for the destination to her lab, she gently presses the emblem up to her lips, brushing it with the most diminutive of touches.
“my jelena, my most beloved jelena…”
but Topaz is not her jelena.
LFA_TheHavocAuthor on Chapter 1 Wed 23 Oct 2024 02:16AM UTC
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HereIAmfr on Chapter 1 Fri 25 Oct 2024 10:02PM UTC
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LFA_TheHavocAuthor on Chapter 2 Sat 26 Oct 2024 01:37PM UTC
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