Youth

Emalia's white satin comforter enveloped her as she lay on it, staring at the ceiling of her room. "I couldn't have thought I'd get them all. It was impossible." Even after grabbing all of the flyers - Jayden knew.

Emalia sighed wearily and rolled onto her stomach, letting her arm dangle off the side of her bed. She stared down at her hand, watching the blood fill her fingers and the gentle pulse that rocked her hand. Her mind wandered to her inexplicable rudeness toward her mother. Even she didn't know what had gotten into her.

Jayden had prayed to his Goddess, Mishikal, and they had both set off to Sanria. Seeing her mother again hurt her so deeply. Though Sanria had looked a little better, she still wore the ragged robes and all Emalia wished to do was rush to her mother's side, but the sting of embarrassment held her suspended and the familiar sensation of calm flooded her.

Emalia knew Jayden wanted to help, and indeed, it seemed he and her mother hit it off quite well. Again, she felt a bit left out as the two elders conversed. It also appeared that each time she opened her mouth, she was rude. She couldn't understand after all her kindness toward everyone else, the person she loved the most she was the most angry with - and the man she never knew who might hold all her answers, she didn't want to see.