Chapter Text
If Tannis had an issue with the pair of them practically bursting into her lab, the vocalising of any such objection died upon seeing the state they were in. Bad at reading body language and situations as she was, even Tannis recognised that something unusual must have happened, given how anxious both looked and the manner in which they had entered the lab.
"What happened?"
Perhaps, then, she had expected something. She was used to Troy drifting around Sanctuary looking flustered, but it wasn't a regular look for Lilith, and Tannis did not like it. A lot of her calm came from the reassurance that Lilith had everything under control. Even without her siren powers. Tannis hadn't seen her this rattled in a long time.
"Her arm." Troy spoke first, "I touched her and her tattoos... it's like they're under her skin. We could see them."
Tannis wrinkled her nose. That didn't sound possible, but she had wondered whether Troy was some sort of reverse-leech, his sister's power but flipped. Perhaps that theory of hers was proving to be correct. Typical. She was almost sick of being right all the time.
"Can you show me?" She crossed her arms and waited, oblivious to the uncomfortable looks on the duo's faces.
"I'm not sure it just... works like that?" Lilith started, but Troy shrugged.
"To be fair we'd never actually touched siren hands before." He pointed out, "so it could work. Like I'm some sort of conduit?" He glanced at Tannis for confirmation.
The scientist shrugged.
"That is one possibility. The other being that now you're running at optimal capacity, your powers are actually developing. Whereas your sister can leech power, you may be able to put power back into other people."
Troy stared at her.
"Wait so like... Tyreen but flipped? Like? I have my own thing?" The concept that he may even have his own abilities, wasn't just a parasite, was astounding. He had never even considered the idea, been stuck in the idea that he was a parasite, weak and facing certain death without his sister.
It made sense, though, that if he was a siren in his own right, he would have his own abilities. He had expected them to be a mirror image of Tyreen's, not a reversal.
There was only one way to find out, though, if this was true and that it hadn't just been a fluke or trick of light. Troy was almost afraid - almost - as he held out his hand. Over time, he had had to force himself not to be afraid. He kind of prefered his false persona in that regard. The god king was never afraid, but Troy was.
There was something to be grateful for, though, in the fact that Lilith didn't leave him hanging. She was as curious about the situation as he was; could it really be possible that he could return power to her? Even temporarily? That would be an enormous tactical advantage, even if he couldn't. He could boost Maya's powers, or Tannis'...
She reached out and clasped his hand in hers. Three sirens waited with held breath, as slowly but surely, Troy's red tattoos began to glow. For a few moments, nothing else happened, but then he began to focus. It was a conscious decision, at first. He pictured himself moving some of his power over to Lilith, and somehow... somehow his body obeyed him. Steadily, her skin began to glow faintly.
"I don't believe it," Tannis was staring at them both, "absolutely fascinating. I'm pretty certain then, that the Eridium solution I divised to improve your health condition, has in fact amplified your own dormant siren abilities."
Lilith frowned at her friend.
"And you didn't think to mention this?"
The scientist shrugged.
"I didn't want to placebo either of you, or give any sort of hope where there may have been none. It seemed cruel to disclose a hypothesis that would affect you both, when it was simply that: a theory."
Tannis sure did pick her moments to become aware of social cues and what was and wasn't kind and acceptable, Lilith thought, but there was little point in being exasperated with her. At least the information had come to light when needed. It would have been much worse if they had come to Tannis looking for answers, only to find out that she had none.
Troy was looking uncharacteristically pale, or at least, as pale as he could with his dark skin.
"You okay?" She understood it must be a lot to take in. First he had thought he would die. Then he had come to terms with being able to survive without Tyreen. The knowledge that he had his own siren powers, that he wasn't simply a mistake of nature, Lilith knew that would be a lot for him to take in.
Troy ran his hand over his face, uncomfortably aware that he was being watched. It was a lot to take in. Switching sides, being able to survive thanks to Tannis, his feelings for Lilith, and now this? It was too much. The idea that he wasn't just a parasite. Wasn't just a waste of space... what else had Tyreen been wrong about?
"I need a drink." He said finally. He could think about all of this with a hangover, surely. Tannis was still looking at him in mild concern, but with his new tech, he would be fine, medically speaking.
Lilith, thankfully, understood. When she met his gaze, she nodded.
"A drink sounds good. C'mon."
A discussion regarding their relationship, the kiss, and even his newly discovered powers could wait. Right now, she understood he was overwhelmed, and nothing was more calming than some spiced whiskey and ice.
Troy was eternally grateful for the fact that she did not push discussion, simply led him along the walkway to Moxxi's. They could talk later. Right now his priority was getting a drink, calming the fuck down, and processing the reality in which he found himself.