Chapter Text
EARTH | 2386
She was the last person Seven expected to show up on her doorstep.
It was rare for Seven to even have a doorstep for anyone to turn up on. But she was on a rare planet-based stint - instead of aboard whichever of the Rangers’ vessels she had been assigned for a mission. She usually volunteered for back-to-back assignments. Her preference was to keep moving, rather than risk staying still for too long.
That made it even more astounding that someone had tracked her down.
Seven had retained ownership of the beach hut in South Africa. Even though when she last left Earth she had no conscious desire to ever return. The building had fallen into disrepair but was still serviceable (by the standards to which Seven had become accustomed to living). Weeds had spouted and run wild in the grounds. From the outside appearance, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a wreck. Generations of local youth had added to the graffiti on the side of the building. Though through cracking paint, Die, Borc and half of a ch were still visible, in a stark reminder of the events that had led up to Seven leaving Earth.
It served her purpose, to hide away and spend some enforced downtime. It had been suggested Seven would be best not to spend time alone - but Seven had never been one to simply heed the orders of others. She had only complied with the downtime when faced with the consequences of non-compliance - she’d be damned if she let anyone tell her how to do it.
Seven had missed the first knock under the noise of the torrential rain and thunder from outside. The second came louder. She unholstered her weapon, alert on approaching the door. She crept forward, taking care to avoid the creakiest of the floorboards. She’d already memorised their locations.
Her instinct was to expect danger; it was trouble that usually came calling. The crack and flash of lightning added to the ambience of trepidation as she inched forward.
Seven reached the door, chancing a look through the old-fashioned peephole in the door. She would have gasped had she not already been holding her breath.
Seven stepped back and let her weapon drop to her side. She used her other hand to unlatch the door and swing it open, revealing a drenched and bedraggled figure.
“What are you…?"
“I didn’t know where else to go.”
Seven stood in stunned silence for a few seconds.
“Can I come in?” Ellory asked, motioning her head up to the dark clouds that were depositing a deluge over her.
Seven wordlessly stood back from the door to allow Ellory to enter.
Ellory walked down the hall, leaving a wet trail, and Seven followed behind her. She stood, shivering, in the middle of Seven’s sparse living room.
They both stood in the center of the room, silently looking at each other in standoff. Each waiting for the other to speak.
“I wasn’t expecting guests," Seven offered in explanation of her surroundings. She felt a rush of embarrassment at the state of the lodgings. She had never spent that much time making the place particularly homely when she first lived there. And what little personal belongings she possessed, she had taken with her when she left. Now, cobwebs decorated the shelves, and mildew adorned the walls.
“Do you want to sit?” Seven offered, indicating with one hand to the only furnishing in the room. An old futon with a suspicious water stain Seven had only partially covered with a throw.
“No, I…” Ellory shrugged and raised her arms to indicate her state. Her clothes were still sodden, and a small puddle was starting to form beneath her.
Seven noticed that Ellory was shivering.
“I know it might not seem like it, but this place does have hot running water," said Seven.
“And maybe I can find you something dry to wear and something warm to drink."
“I need your help, Seven," Ellory replied.
“Right now? Or can it wait a few minutes until we’ve made certain you don't catch your death of cold?" Seven asked.
“A few more minutes won’t make a difference," Ellory conceded.