Chapter Text
Tally stands alone, taking in the all too familiar space. Little has changed since General Alder occupied the space. A show of respect by Petra, perhaps a touch of regret too. The room is so quiet now, unnaturally too empty. After all, for years this space was accustomed to seven biddies and a General whose presence was larger than life three times over. It's almost serene and more than a little melancholic.
Her eyes trace fondly across the office, ghosts of the past confront her in every corner. Alder's portrait recently reinstated on the wall, the iconic figure staring off at some non-existent point above her head. The fate of witch-kind on her shoulders, yet no sign of the impossible weight. Standing tall, proud, unflinching. As Tally takes a seat, feeling herself crumble a bit, she can't help but envy that fortitude.
A knock on the door startles her. Shaking off the feeling of being caught, she goes to answer.
"It's almost midnight." M, straight to the point as usual.
Careful not to drop the package, she unlocks her apartment and enters. Though tired and hungry, she ignores both the kitchen and the bedroom, heading for the living room. Keeping the lights off, she sits on the floor leaning back on the couch, lest she collapses. She removes the candle and rushes to get the matchbox, suddenly eager. With trembling hands she lights the candle and then utters the name.
The candle flame flickers, curtains dance with the wind, the atmosphere becomes eerie. Finally a tall lithe figure appears unchanged by the course of time.
"Sarah." It comes out as a gasp.
"General Craven," Alder answers with a smirk.
A short laugh escapes Tally. She smiles even as she wipes away a tear. The tension she has felt all day, or for much longer than that if she is honest, melts away. Her eyes watery and her gaze full of wonder, she is thrown back almost two decades. Only then she was a young cadet and now she is a newly minted General. Then again she is almost a sapling when compared to the centuries old Alder. She snaps back into the moment to find a familiar fond look directed at her.
"It's been so long," Tally says, sorrow and happiness both can be found in her voice. Unsure if the action is even possible, she reaches for the other woman's arm. Sighing as their skin meets, she wraps her fingers around Sarah's wrist and gently pulls. An invitation to join her that is swiftly accepted.
"Hmm, I can see that.." Sarah traces the age marks on Tally's face. Worry lines are starting to show on her forehead, she smooths them with a gentle stroke. Most glorious though, are her dimples now having permanently left their mark, a sign that plenty of joy was still found in her life. "The passage of time feels .. different within the mother."
"I've missed you so much." It comes out more desperate than intended but is nothing more than a true measure of her feelings. "The world has changed -" She snorts at her own words. Changed. Everyone has become a witch, changed is such an understatement. "It was chaos! Still is! A new Constitution, a new human rights bill. So many conflicts, ugh if one thing seems unchanging it's war. Raelle and Scylla had triplets, they're of age soon and they want to enlist. I love them, adore them, really I do, but I'm not sure Fort Salem will withstand them. Abigail is traveling the world with Adil as diplomats. Abi and diplomacy, what an unexpected combo, yet it works, can't count the number of conflicts she's stopped. And me, I'm a General now! In your office! And I don't have a freaking clue what to do! .. Well I have some plans about vacation time accrued and specialized training could use an update, also-" She's interrupted by a finger on her lips. Realizing she has been rambling for a while Tally smiles guiltily.
"You Tally Craven are a force of nature and I pity anything and anyone foolish enough to stand in your way. There is no doubt in my heart that you will be an excellent General, better than I have ever been." Sarah lifts her hand as the expected disagreement is about to come forth. "It's true. But to do so, there is one very important thing that you must remember. Do you know what?" Tally shakes her head, her eyes wide making her look like a lost child in need of comfort. "You are never alone. You have your sisters and your fellow witches, now more than ever. Reach out to them, do not choose a solitary path. If nothing else, learn from my mistakes and be open to trusting those close to you. No one can bear this burden alone."
Tally collapses in her arms, quiet sobs slightly shaking her frame. Sarah holds her firmly, running a hand through her hair soothingly. Even after calming down, her breath returning to normal, Tally is unwilling to leave the safe haven she has found. Still, the arms embracing remain unmoved and after a while the most beautiful melody is heard. A song of old in a language familiar yet unknown to her. She feels the subtle Work within, it goes straight to her soul, both a lullaby and an uplifting tune. Pulling back she brings their foreheads together, the feeling of returning home almost overwhelming.
"There is so much I want to tell you. So much to ask you." The words come out as a whisper, a hopeful plea.
"Then do. I wish to hear everything and have nothing to keep from you." Sarah's words are firm, spoken as if they are a vow.
The sun gleams through the window as dawn arrives. Tally slowly wakes from her slumber. She blinks a few times before remembering how she ended up on the floor wrapped in her favorite throw blanket. Though her body is slightly aching and will likely continue complaining throughout the day, her heart hasn't felt this light in years. As she gazes at the beautiful colors of the sunrise a smile graces her face and a newly found determination can be seen in her eyes.