cut a diamond, break it down

She's stepped down from Head of Defense for a few years now, but she's still a Ten. It's a kindness, she knows-- the old guard didn't have the heart to Challenge the former Queen who had sacrificed so much of herself to the Suit, and the new guard didn't have the courage. Besides that, Eileen Eicheln is still very much (and once again) the Ace of Clubs, and while Rachel doesn't care quite so much for her Rank, these days, everyone knows that her niece will likely take some offense.

With Edgar moved into the Hearts castle, Rachel and Elliot had decided to move to a smaller place in Town closer to the Diamonds. It was easier for Elliot to get to the Wild Cards (though even he had begun shifting more to supervising than actually doing as much of the work) and for Rachel (who, after all these years and a few more injuries, was permanently on a cane, now) to get to the Diamonds castle.

Just as well, really. Rachel still devoted so much of her time to the Diamonds, even if it was more in emotional energy than physical, now. Even if that emotional energy was focused, rather largely, on helping guide some of the younger members of the Suit down their path.

She's had no small number of mentees, over the years. She has to confess to herself, though, that the young man with the name of one of her former Kings and who is about the age of her son, has been one of her favorites. 

And it's always nice, to meet young Horatio Hornblower in the castle for tea.

 She should have known that when her boy went back to the place of her birth, he would have fallen into it immediately. He was too much both his parents' son not to. Still, when he calls telling her he's Challenging and wouldn't she please come and watch, just this once, she can't help but go.

It's her boy's first Challenge, after all. Had things gone differently this would have happened three years ago and probably would have been a little more violent in nature. As it is, he's inherited her-- or maybe more Andrew's, really-- stellar ability at chess, and she knew he'd done well in selecting it.

She almost doesn't make it to the Challenge because her first time stepping on the Deck soil in years has her breath coming up short. Pushes herself through it, for Arik's sake.

She's so much older than she was since she left. She doesn't imagine there's many people who would really look past the short brown hair and fake glasses to realize they recognize her distinctly Fioro eyes and nose; the curve of her absolutely Caustello lips. Arik knows her and the small handful of disguises she's worn over the years that she's sure he'll recognize her, regardless.

But some people know her too well, still, even with all the years that have passed. And some people aren't going to let her visit go unnoticed.

When Rachel had forced her niece to go into the passageway, she had honestly expected it would be for the last time. The thought had been kept in the back of her mind so she could focus on helping those who needed it, on ushering the retreating Cards to the escape routes, but it lingered there. Came swimming to surface when she was finally cornered by the Chess Pieces.

She'd fought as hard as she could; she always did. But just like it had been with the Magician, there was only so much one woman could do.

She'd not expected to wake up. In time, she would come to wish she hadn't. But she held on to the hope that her niece would lead their people to victory, and so she kept fighting-- spat at her captors' questions, held her tongue under their torture while she could, screamed only curses when she finally couldn't. And so it went for what felt like an age.

Until one day, the Chess Pieces didn't come. She wasn't sure how long it was she was left alone, didn't know that it was because the war was over at last. Didn't actually wake up when the Cards come to free her and the others the Chess Set had taken prisoner.

When she starts to regain consciousness, the first thing that comes back is the feeling of pain-- and it feels odd, numbed and dull like she was feeling it from behind a veil. The second thing that comes back is her hearing-- and the sound of soft hospital monitors and gentle, distant murmurs greets her instead of harsh words.

It takes effort, but she finally, finally opens her eyes and realizes that she's home.

 Usually by this time of night, Arik is in bed and Rachel's drinking tea and doing work. This time, however, when Edgar comes home he'll be greeted by an empty living room, without even a cup of tea waiting.

But if he follows the sound of his wife's laughter to their son's room, he'll see her trying to videotape Arik, who's all dressed up in a lion outfit gifted by Andrew.

"One more time, sweetheart," Rachel murmurs, videocamera at the ready and attention entirely on the boy.

"I am a lion," Arik says obligingly, before giving his best, "Rawwwr."

 It isn't often that she gets nightmares, truth be told. Usually, she's too exhausted from the day to doing anything else but sleep deeply; her body's way of trying to recover from the strain.

But for some reason, tonight her sleep isn't just a blissful, dreamless reprieve from reality. Instead, it's a terror-filled mixture of old ghosts and new ones that has her waking up screaming.

And even once she's awakened, the dreams cling so tightly to her mind that she's entirely disoriented and entirely unable to help the loud sobs that rip themselves from her throat.

Ever since the dark-haired man (Gustave Asarlai, the love of her life several lifetimes ago) stepped out onto the Green, things have changed. Rachel (Astraia?) knows the two newcomers were surprised when she'd stepped forward and began speaking not only in a tongue their people alone knew, but with a familiarity one woman alone used with the Magician. Honestly, everyone on the Green at that moment had been surprised.

Rachel (Astraia?) included. 

Since then, flashes of memory have returned, striking at random. It's difficult to tell whose it is-- Rachel's or Astraia's or the handful of lives lived in-between-- so often she doesn't even try. Lets the snippets try to sort themselves out. Trying to see if the ones she can tell are of her oldest self line up with the tale the visitors tell only gives her headaches.

The flashbacks themselves leave her halting mid-step no matter where she is, eyes glassing over. Looking into a past so distant, it feels like little more than a dream.

(More and more, though, she begins to believe it isn't.)

Prompt: Edchel, 6, Lily of the Valley (You've my life complete)
Song: The One That Got Away- Katy Perry

( lily of the valley )