Nyssa laid back into the bed, pulling the covers back up. She clutched the pendant with one hand under the covers while peeking out from the blankets. The sleep had done its job, as her mind cleared itself well—the intensity of her emotion fading into a much more manageable state. “Did you... know her?”
“Know... is a strong word,” Kaiser sighed. “I was probably closer to knowing her than anyone else, though. I almost married her.”
Nyssa’s eyes widened. Her jaw dropped, though still obscured by the blanket. “W... what now?”
“Mhm...” Kaiser leaned back into his chair. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a photograph, showing it to Nyssa. “I’ve already told Roxanne and Slade all of this too by the way. But... yeah, this was the two of us back when we had just graduated.”
“She looks... the same...” Nyssa glanced between the photo and Kaiser. “But you’re old...”
“We were, in fact, the same age, but she just transforms herself to look younger,” Kaiser ran his thumb along the photo, hiding his own face. “She had a tough life that I won’t go into. She wanted to leave it behind so I'll honor those wishes. But because of it, she had a vendetta against... well, society itself.”
Nyssa, without anything to say, just continued listening with bright eyes, eager to soak up as much as she could about her mother. Kaiser continued. “Eventually, we broke up because of this. She couldn’t accept the fact I became a hero. Then, she hid her identity, and started a research lab, before disappearing one day.”
“How many people knew her identity?” Nyssa murmured. “I’ve never heard of her after all.”
“Me... and maybe a couple others, I have no idea, she was... very private. From the battle debrief, we don’t know much,” Kaiser fidgeted with the photo. “I only found out by coincidence too. I thought she had disappeared, maybe died. But then, I was sent to shut down an up and coming lab that was committing ethical violations. Me, and the rest of the team destroyed the lab. As we fought to chase her down though, that’s when I realized who she was. She slowed down just enough to say ‘take care of my daughter at the base’ before escaping.”
Kaiser stared out the window, a wistful expression dancing across his face. “I never planned on taking another child after Slade. But, hearing her words, I don’t know what came over me, but I rushed back and grabbed you... and now we’re here.”
“Is she why you never married?” Nyssa poked Kaiser’s leg, ruining any sort of mood they had going on. A faint teasing smile pulled at the corners of her lips.
“... Maybe. I just never ended up finding someone to settle down with. I thought I found one in her, but, like the couple others I got close to, it never worked out. Though, with her, we got a lot closer than the others,” Kaiser shrugged. “Maybe in another life, we could have married, and we would have had kids.”
“I’m sure they would’ve been very cute,” Nyssa bobbed her head up and down. “She seemed so carefree in my memories... when I was practicing how to walk, we walked through the fields together and just admired flowers...”
“She always dreamed of that,” Kaiser murmured, a faint smile appearing on his face. “I’m glad she got to do it. Any questions about who she is though? I can answer anything you’d like.”
“So... how did you feel about raising me? Just... knowing this, you know? Do I look like her? Did I act like her?” Nyssa bombarded Kaiser with questions.
In response though, she received a gentle pat on the head. “You’re very different. Though you two look similar, I’ve never confused the two of you. You each have a very different atmosphere, and... your eyes are different. Both in look, and how you see the world. She hated everyone. Hated everything. And viewed the world from above. Always felt distant and quite aloof. In a way, she was an untouchable flower. But you’re endearing, warm, and cheery. It’s always been a joy to raise you, and I’m sure she was proud to see you stand up for yourself.”
Kaiser chuckled. “I think the fact you stood up to her, and fought for your own ideals instead of following her was something she liked. As much as it harmed her own agenda.”
“... Oh... that makes sense,” Nyssa mumbled. Burrowing back into the pillows, she looked back towards Kaiser. “I don’t really have anything else to say...”
“Well, if anything comes up, questions about me, or her, feel free to come ask me. I’m happy to answer whenever,” Kaiser scooted his chair back and pushed himself up. “I’ll leave you to the medical staff then. Once you’re discharged, we’ll have a banquet at home to celebrate the completion of your mission. In the meantime, I’ll leave you to your slee...”
Kaiser paused.
He leaned a little closer. Checking Nyssa’s eyes.
Closed.
He listened to her breathing.
“That’s another difference...” Kaiser murmured to himself before staring out the window. “She never slept, unlike you who sleeps enough for two people...”
---
Once Kaiser returned home, he took off his jacket, slinging it on the hook as a long sigh left his mouth. Checking the shoe rack, he saw no one else at home. He swept his eyes over the empty hallway and flicked on the lights.
“““SURPRISE!”””
Slade, Roxanne, and Angelica all jumped out from the doors.
Stiffening, Kaiser took a half-step back before relaxing his shoulders. “Oh it’s just you all, why didn’t you say anything?”
“We felt like surprising you,” Roxanne strutted over, tilting her chin up. “Can’t we? You seemed out of it recently so we came to keep you company, old man.”
“You’re always welcome here,” Kaiser smiled before looking at their shoes. “Take off your shoes though. Also, you and Slade need to clean the floors too. For wearing shoes in the house.”
“... Really...?” Roxanne grumbled as she slipped her shoes off. Jogging back over to Angelica, she supported Angelica over and helped her take off her shoes as well.
“I can help as wel-” Angelica began only to get pressed into a wheelchair by Roxanne.
“Just focus on healing, otherwise your injuries are going to be permanent," Kaiser shook his head. “Come on, now that you and Roxanne are married, let’s go chat. It wouldn’t hurt for Roxanne to practice her cleaning skills.”
“... True,” Angelica turned to Roxanne with a teasing smile. “She could work on that a little.”
“Just shoo already, go, leave, talk to dad,” Roxanne rolled her eyes as she pushed Angelica towards Kaiser. “I’ll help Slade. He’ll need the cleaning skills if he ever wants a partner.”
“I’ll have you know I'm a very competent bachelor,” Slade defended himself. “They call me the cleaner because of how clean my apartment is. I don’t have a partner at the peak of human condition like you to do all the household chores.”
“Oh shut up, what are you insinuating? That I’m useless?” Roxanne glared at Slade.
“Why yes, I am implying that,” Slade glared back with a chuckle. “Didn’t think your slow brain could pick up on that.”
“Well, watch this!”