'So you have to sense it.'
"I guess."
Mirin sat across from Askari who stared down at the rug under his feet. She'd decided against going to Sanria and Gilean with the information on Claire. They didn't seem to be spending much time dwelling on her, and Mirin wasn't going to be the one to destroy that. It didn't anger her that they were happy and isolated from what was happening. Her mother, Claire, had made her choices and seemed to be paying the price... still...
'So when I get close-'
"I can help you get close, but I won't go in with you."
'Askari... you could help me a great deal.'
"No... I... can't."
'What happened to you?' Mirin telepathed with a sigh. "He turned into a chicken," Leandra snorted as she entered the room. She plopped down on the chair and smirked. "His racist sack of shit father slapped him across the face when he tried to stand up to him. He hasn't really been the same since."
Mirin turned her gaze on Askari. She narrowed the focus of her telepathy, speaking to her brother directly. 'Is what she says true?'
'Does it matter?'
'Of course it matters, Askari... did he strike you?'
"I know when I'm being excluded, I'll go make myself useful in this dump." Leandra got up and left the room, leaving Askari to make a long lingering sigh.
"Yes," Askari answered simply.
Mirin leaned over, taking her brother in her arms. Her response back was a stiff pat on her back as Askari pulled away. "I'll get you nearby, but I don't want to see him... ever."
'I understand.'
Thus it was that Mirin found herself on the edge of a wood, alone. She could sense the presence of the camp, the tingle of magic that only those with esper blood could decipher. She took a deep breath and stepped forward and through the camouflaged barrier.
Showing posts with label Askari. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Askari. Show all posts
Wayward Son
Sanria knew what was about to happen before it happened, but she still could not keep Orn from exploding in front of Ruthivan. She had to at last lay a hearty slap on her son's face to break his focus. Ruthivan had turned himself into some raging demonic... thing, and Sanria knew that in that instant, he was going to turn his fury on Claire once all was said and done. If, she entertained, he didn't kill them first.
"You men and your idiotic posturing," she hissed at Orn once they had left the tent and were standing before it outside. "Did you once think of what you were doing to Claire as you were threatening the man she has to live with?! You don't even know the whole story and you're in there acting as if you can take him. As if he's never dealt with kid-napping her multiple times!"
"She shouldn't be living with that! You saw how he was with her! What more is there to the story?" Orn said.
"Orn, damn it. Did YOU think about the children? Did you see she has four and one on the way? Gods only know what he's in there doing to her because you worked him up!"
"But, I mean, he was terrible..."
"You've effectively made it so we will NEVER come back here without force."
"I was just. I mean if nobody stands up to him. Claire can't even speak up for herself."
They looked up just to hear Ruthivan's shouting from the opened door. Leandra, Askari, and Heiyu walked out- Leandra looking defiant, Askari looking cowed, and Heiyu as scared as a child could be, clinging to his father. "Are you guys okay?" Orn asked, and Leandra glared. She walked to Sanria.
"We need a place to live so I hope you have somewhere we can go because hot head over there got in a tangle with Mr. Asshole," she spat.
"Leandra... that guy. Come on. He's unbelievable."
"Shut up, Orn. You just got us kicked out of our house. Idiot."
"Why would you want to be anywhere around him? Do you know what he called Heiyu?"
"Of COURSE I know. But at least here we had a place away from you and your do-good self! We stayed out of his way and kept Heiyu out of the way too! But you couldn't just keep your stupid self home!"
Sanria let out a sigh and put a hand up, asking for peace. "I... Leandra, let's not fight. You, Askari, and Heiyu can live at the cottage. No one is there now."
"Someone has to stand up to him," Orn said. "Let him know he can't be like that... right? It's just not right."
"Yeah," Leandra snarked. "We all knew that. Sorry you were late to the party.
Sanria sent Leandra, Askari, and Heiyu to the cottage and walked over to Orn. Comforting him for a moment before they returned to the cavern. She knew he was only doing his best, they all were only trying to help. Now, the possibilities of what Claire was enduring made her feel sick to her stomach. That she'd have to tell Gilean made her feel even worse... She sighed deeply. There had to be a solution to Claire's situation. Sanria had finally seen for herself... the woman was in trouble.
"You men and your idiotic posturing," she hissed at Orn once they had left the tent and were standing before it outside. "Did you once think of what you were doing to Claire as you were threatening the man she has to live with?! You don't even know the whole story and you're in there acting as if you can take him. As if he's never dealt with kid-napping her multiple times!"
"She shouldn't be living with that! You saw how he was with her! What more is there to the story?" Orn said.
"Orn, damn it. Did YOU think about the children? Did you see she has four and one on the way? Gods only know what he's in there doing to her because you worked him up!"
"But, I mean, he was terrible..."
"You've effectively made it so we will NEVER come back here without force."
"I was just. I mean if nobody stands up to him. Claire can't even speak up for herself."
They looked up just to hear Ruthivan's shouting from the opened door. Leandra, Askari, and Heiyu walked out- Leandra looking defiant, Askari looking cowed, and Heiyu as scared as a child could be, clinging to his father. "Are you guys okay?" Orn asked, and Leandra glared. She walked to Sanria.
"We need a place to live so I hope you have somewhere we can go because hot head over there got in a tangle with Mr. Asshole," she spat.
"Leandra... that guy. Come on. He's unbelievable."
"Shut up, Orn. You just got us kicked out of our house. Idiot."
"Why would you want to be anywhere around him? Do you know what he called Heiyu?"
"Of COURSE I know. But at least here we had a place away from you and your do-good self! We stayed out of his way and kept Heiyu out of the way too! But you couldn't just keep your stupid self home!"
Sanria let out a sigh and put a hand up, asking for peace. "I... Leandra, let's not fight. You, Askari, and Heiyu can live at the cottage. No one is there now."
"Someone has to stand up to him," Orn said. "Let him know he can't be like that... right? It's just not right."
"Yeah," Leandra snarked. "We all knew that. Sorry you were late to the party.
Sanria sent Leandra, Askari, and Heiyu to the cottage and walked over to Orn. Comforting him for a moment before they returned to the cavern. She knew he was only doing his best, they all were only trying to help. Now, the possibilities of what Claire was enduring made her feel sick to her stomach. That she'd have to tell Gilean made her feel even worse... She sighed deeply. There had to be a solution to Claire's situation. Sanria had finally seen for herself... the woman was in trouble.
Expulsion (3/3)
Sanria found a way to take Orn out of the tent and Ruthivan, back to his esper form, wheeled on her. "Go get that human and your spawn. Now."
Obediently, Claire went and returned leading the small family behind her. Ruthivan approached and pointed a finger into Leandra's chest. "Get out, all of you, and don't come back."
"Dad, don't do that to her," Askari said, stepping forward. Ruthivan let forth a scathing slap. "GET OUT!" "Ruthivan," Claire said, rushing forward, gripping Ruthivan's arm. "Please, don't do this, stop, he is our son!"
Ruthivan gripped Claire's robes and snatched her to his face. "These are not pure, and I'll purge them from our presence." He shoved her away and stepped to the door as Leandra, Askari, and Heiyu filed past. "Please!! Ruthivan!! Stop!!" Claire sobbed openly. "GET OUT! And if you dare come back here, so help me, I will destroy you."
Once the three were gone, Ruthivan slammed the door behind them. He glared about the room and the other children fled his sight. He strode over and lifted Claire from the ground by her arm. "If you have anything to do with those misborn mongrels again, I'll have to take more drastic measures. Do you hear me, Claire?" He shook her, and she nodded, sobbing. "Now, get in the bedroom and clean yourself up for Gods sakes. You should be happy I've purged us of impurities. Stop your crying."
Claire stumbled into the bedroom, numb. She collapsed onto the bed and sobbed harder than she had ever before.
Obediently, Claire went and returned leading the small family behind her. Ruthivan approached and pointed a finger into Leandra's chest. "Get out, all of you, and don't come back."
"Dad, don't do that to her," Askari said, stepping forward. Ruthivan let forth a scathing slap. "GET OUT!" "Ruthivan," Claire said, rushing forward, gripping Ruthivan's arm. "Please, don't do this, stop, he is our son!"
Ruthivan gripped Claire's robes and snatched her to his face. "These are not pure, and I'll purge them from our presence." He shoved her away and stepped to the door as Leandra, Askari, and Heiyu filed past. "Please!! Ruthivan!! Stop!!" Claire sobbed openly. "GET OUT! And if you dare come back here, so help me, I will destroy you."
Once the three were gone, Ruthivan slammed the door behind them. He glared about the room and the other children fled his sight. He strode over and lifted Claire from the ground by her arm. "If you have anything to do with those misborn mongrels again, I'll have to take more drastic measures. Do you hear me, Claire?" He shook her, and she nodded, sobbing. "Now, get in the bedroom and clean yourself up for Gods sakes. You should be happy I've purged us of impurities. Stop your crying."
Claire stumbled into the bedroom, numb. She collapsed onto the bed and sobbed harder than she had ever before.
Expulsion (1/3)
he boy was at it again. Heiyu this time had gone into the cups and glasses in the kitchen, gathered them all into his arms, and went squealing into the living room. As much as she wanted Askari or Leandra to take responsibility for the boy, she adored the time she got to spend with her grandson. It was only this small space of time, when Ruthivan took the other children to the esper camp to be with -their- grandparents. And since Ruthivan had made her a capitive in her own home with the wards, she had no where else to-
Claire stopped short. There, standing in her living room, was Sanria and Orn. It couldn't be. This was not a good thing, unexpected visitors when Ruthivan would be coming home... She would be a good hostess, she would say hello then send them on their way before Ruthivan came home.
They'd come to check on her. The fear went through her. There was no time for answering questions, no time for -
Before Claire could think of a way to get them to stop, to get them to leave, the front door opened and Ruthivan stood shocked, then evenly angered at the- "There are humans in here, Dad!!!" "Children, go out and play."
Claire looked down, her guts heavy with icy fear. "Claire, why are these people in my house?" he asked. "This is Leandra's mother and brother," she said, rounding the room to rest a hand on Ruthivan's arm. "Orn Stone. Nice to meet you Mr. Wolldon." The handshake was ignored, and Claire's fears grew by the moment. "Claire, did you not understand my desire to not have guests of this kind in my house?" "Ruthivan, it's only for a moment. They came to see Leandra and Heiyu and Askari. That's all."
"Leave."
Claire stopped short. There, standing in her living room, was Sanria and Orn. It couldn't be. This was not a good thing, unexpected visitors when Ruthivan would be coming home... She would be a good hostess, she would say hello then send them on their way before Ruthivan came home.
They'd come to check on her. The fear went through her. There was no time for answering questions, no time for -
Before Claire could think of a way to get them to stop, to get them to leave, the front door opened and Ruthivan stood shocked, then evenly angered at the- "There are humans in here, Dad!!!" "Children, go out and play."
Claire looked down, her guts heavy with icy fear. "Claire, why are these people in my house?" he asked. "This is Leandra's mother and brother," she said, rounding the room to rest a hand on Ruthivan's arm. "Orn Stone. Nice to meet you Mr. Wolldon." The handshake was ignored, and Claire's fears grew by the moment. "Claire, did you not understand my desire to not have guests of this kind in my house?" "Ruthivan, it's only for a moment. They came to see Leandra and Heiyu and Askari. That's all."
"Leave."
Regaining control
The lie shot Ruthivan's mind to the breaking point right then and there. But there was more - oh so much more. The hole went deeper still. She lied about going to see her mongrel children, lied about seeing that man who had taken her pure esper heritage from her. He forced her beneath him and conquered her. He then forbade her to see those other species she called children and exclusively forbade her to see Gilean. Then she said no.
Ruthivan grabbed Claire by the arm, his grip causing her to wince. She was his to command. His to control. He could only imagine Gilean had given her some sort of spine to stand up against what he wanted from her. He'd have to tear it out of her. When she started saying that she didn't love him, wanted to leave him, wanted to break their bond- Ruthivan saw red. No more so than when she'd admitted she'd rid her body of having children. She didn't want more children -with him.-
"Thank you for telling me," Ruthivan said, touching her stomach. "We'll get that fixed."
"You can't fix it," she'd said.
"We are creatures of magic. We can fix -anything.-" And disgust crept onto her face.
Ruthivan hadn't used his drugs in a long time. That was what made him special - he was his own chemist. Before, he'd helped espers escape by having concoctions that, when poured, would knock a man flat on his back at twelve paces. His most recent uses were to knock Claire on her back and force the bond upon her. Once he'd broken her, he'd had no need to do that. This, however, caused him to pull a vial from his bedside table. Before she even knew, she was half-intoxicated from inhaling his potion.
"Another thing," he said, half to himself. "That half-breed and his mother living behind us are in too close of proximity. They're leaving." He didn't care that it was his son, Askari living there too. The boy was dead to him. Claire looked up at him with hazy eyes. "But Gilean, they're our kids," and she passed out. Ruthivan flew into a silent rage.
Ruthivan grabbed Claire by the arm, his grip causing her to wince. She was his to command. His to control. He could only imagine Gilean had given her some sort of spine to stand up against what he wanted from her. He'd have to tear it out of her. When she started saying that she didn't love him, wanted to leave him, wanted to break their bond- Ruthivan saw red. No more so than when she'd admitted she'd rid her body of having children. She didn't want more children -with him.-
"Thank you for telling me," Ruthivan said, touching her stomach. "We'll get that fixed."
"You can't fix it," she'd said.
"We are creatures of magic. We can fix -anything.-" And disgust crept onto her face.
Ruthivan hadn't used his drugs in a long time. That was what made him special - he was his own chemist. Before, he'd helped espers escape by having concoctions that, when poured, would knock a man flat on his back at twelve paces. His most recent uses were to knock Claire on her back and force the bond upon her. Once he'd broken her, he'd had no need to do that. This, however, caused him to pull a vial from his bedside table. Before she even knew, she was half-intoxicated from inhaling his potion.
"Another thing," he said, half to himself. "That half-breed and his mother living behind us are in too close of proximity. They're leaving." He didn't care that it was his son, Askari living there too. The boy was dead to him. Claire looked up at him with hazy eyes. "But Gilean, they're our kids," and she passed out. Ruthivan flew into a silent rage.
WHAT?!
WHAT?!
Ruthivan's blood crept up into his neck and he could feel the tension there. He stared at Claire and all he wanted to do was strike her for allowing such a thing to happen - but he couldn't. She'd run off if he did that, then he'd have to track her down and spend time convincing her he didn't mean it. Better to keep his hands off of her and do this the old fashioned way. 'How could you let them in our home, Claire? Are you a fool?'
'No, Ruthivan, but I can't turn away our son.'
'He's not our son, not anymore. He turned his back on everything our people need to breed with a human.'
'Ruthivan, please, be reasonable...'
'Reasonable?' he shouted. 'Is seeing at night in the cities by esper light reasonable to you?'
'No,' Claire looked down.
'Is it reasonable the slaughter of our people to sate the needs of the humans?'
'No,' Claire said quietly, 'But Leandra didn't do that.'
'She's human, isn't she?'
'Yes...'
'Close enough.'
Ruthivan paced the tent. Where had he gone wrong? Perhaps listening to Claire and coming back to this place when he should have kept her, Askari, and all the rest of his children off this planet. No, he came back for her, for Claire, and they were still outcasts. Eladrim would barely accept seeing him to discuss coming back into the fold. Now, with this human girl, there would be no chance at all. He turned to Claire, gripping her shoulder, perhaps harder than he intended. 'This cannot be allowed.'
'Ruthivan,' she begged, 'He's your son...'
'Only in deed. He turned his back on us all. Get rid of him.'
'No.'
Ruthivan stared at Claire, his eyebrow raised, his jaw set. 'No?'
'I won't turn them away if they need help.'
'Damn your soft cow heart. This is urgent and must be done NOW.'
'No. I will help others, even if you don't think I should, even if you won't let me, especially if that one is my son.'
He wanted to choke her. When he had grown so angry with her, he didn't know. Perhaps it was when he found she was no longer bearing children. Perhaps it was seeing that nothing he did caused her enough pride for her flames to burn freely. She was ashamed of him, she loathed him, he could see it. It was all over her face.
Ruthivan pushed the impulse down and took in a long breath. 'Please, be reasonable,' she whispered as she looked at him. Reasonable... she'd never know the meaning of the word.
'If I let him stay, will it please you?' he asked in a low tone, staring down his nose into her eyes.
'Very much,' she said. Even her smile was false. 'Fine. But they stay out there.'
'Thank you, Ruthivan,' and she hugged him.
He watched her walk away, clenching his jaw. There was no change in her flames at all. None whatsoever.
Ruthivan's blood crept up into his neck and he could feel the tension there. He stared at Claire and all he wanted to do was strike her for allowing such a thing to happen - but he couldn't. She'd run off if he did that, then he'd have to track her down and spend time convincing her he didn't mean it. Better to keep his hands off of her and do this the old fashioned way. 'How could you let them in our home, Claire? Are you a fool?'
'No, Ruthivan, but I can't turn away our son.'
'He's not our son, not anymore. He turned his back on everything our people need to breed with a human.'
'Ruthivan, please, be reasonable...'
'Reasonable?' he shouted. 'Is seeing at night in the cities by esper light reasonable to you?'
'No,' Claire looked down.
'Is it reasonable the slaughter of our people to sate the needs of the humans?'
'No,' Claire said quietly, 'But Leandra didn't do that.'
'She's human, isn't she?'
'Yes...'
'Close enough.'
Ruthivan paced the tent. Where had he gone wrong? Perhaps listening to Claire and coming back to this place when he should have kept her, Askari, and all the rest of his children off this planet. No, he came back for her, for Claire, and they were still outcasts. Eladrim would barely accept seeing him to discuss coming back into the fold. Now, with this human girl, there would be no chance at all. He turned to Claire, gripping her shoulder, perhaps harder than he intended. 'This cannot be allowed.'
'Ruthivan,' she begged, 'He's your son...'
'Only in deed. He turned his back on us all. Get rid of him.'
'No.'
Ruthivan stared at Claire, his eyebrow raised, his jaw set. 'No?'
'I won't turn them away if they need help.'
'Damn your soft cow heart. This is urgent and must be done NOW.'
'No. I will help others, even if you don't think I should, even if you won't let me, especially if that one is my son.'
He wanted to choke her. When he had grown so angry with her, he didn't know. Perhaps it was when he found she was no longer bearing children. Perhaps it was seeing that nothing he did caused her enough pride for her flames to burn freely. She was ashamed of him, she loathed him, he could see it. It was all over her face.
Ruthivan pushed the impulse down and took in a long breath. 'Please, be reasonable,' she whispered as she looked at him. Reasonable... she'd never know the meaning of the word.
'If I let him stay, will it please you?' he asked in a low tone, staring down his nose into her eyes.
'Very much,' she said. Even her smile was false. 'Fine. But they stay out there.'
'Thank you, Ruthivan,' and she hugged him.
He watched her walk away, clenching his jaw. There was no change in her flames at all. None whatsoever.
Uterus B-GONE!
Claire was tired and it showed. Her flames had not flared to life in a long time now, not that anyone cared or noticed. She kept holed in the tent with her children; Celiara, who was now quite rambunctious and the apple of her father's eye; Saren, a tiny ball of temper; and Desmaren, a quiet child who seemed to only wish no one would see him at all.
It surprised her to see Askari when he showed up, and further shocked her to see Leandra with him, and still drove her into confusion to see their boy Heiyu. They needed a place to live. Claire's stomach turned. Ruthivan would not be pleased.
Though she had chosen to stay with him of her own will, Claire never felt free. Ruthivan dictated so much of her life - from what robes she chose to wear, what time she could take a walk, what foods she ought to feed the children. She didn't even know how Matinus was doing, she wasn't permitted to visit. The last time Mirin had contacted her, Claire found Ruthivan glaring at her, having intercepted every word. Reluctantly, she had closed communications. She couldn't go far enough to escape any detection. Ruthivan kept his eye on her constantly.
The only thing Claire had managed successfully was to get rid of her womb. Ruthivan had gone to her father, Eladrim, to once again plead their case for acceptance back into the group. It was her one chance, and she took it. Ruthivan could not figure out why she was no longer getting pregnant, and knowing that he would "look," Claire had even put a mock uterus in place. No matter what he wanted, she would not continue to be an esper factory.
Claire let Askari and Leandra set up a tent behind her own and set herself to deal with Ruthivan's ire. Not only was she not getting pregnant, but now they would have their son living with his non-esper wife and "half-breed" child. Ruthivan walked into the room and Claire cleared her throat.
It surprised her to see Askari when he showed up, and further shocked her to see Leandra with him, and still drove her into confusion to see their boy Heiyu. They needed a place to live. Claire's stomach turned. Ruthivan would not be pleased.
Though she had chosen to stay with him of her own will, Claire never felt free. Ruthivan dictated so much of her life - from what robes she chose to wear, what time she could take a walk, what foods she ought to feed the children. She didn't even know how Matinus was doing, she wasn't permitted to visit. The last time Mirin had contacted her, Claire found Ruthivan glaring at her, having intercepted every word. Reluctantly, she had closed communications. She couldn't go far enough to escape any detection. Ruthivan kept his eye on her constantly.
The only thing Claire had managed successfully was to get rid of her womb. Ruthivan had gone to her father, Eladrim, to once again plead their case for acceptance back into the group. It was her one chance, and she took it. Ruthivan could not figure out why she was no longer getting pregnant, and knowing that he would "look," Claire had even put a mock uterus in place. No matter what he wanted, she would not continue to be an esper factory.
Claire let Askari and Leandra set up a tent behind her own and set herself to deal with Ruthivan's ire. Not only was she not getting pregnant, but now they would have their son living with his non-esper wife and "half-breed" child. Ruthivan walked into the room and Claire cleared her throat.
Family Meeting
Dear Diary,
I lost it. I totally lost it. I mean, I knew that my dad had something planned when he said we had a family meeting to go to, not to bring Askari or Heiyu. It was ridiculous, there was my mom, Orn, and my dad sitting at the kitchen table. Of course they were fawning all over Orn but then... I don't know.
It's kinda like for the first time they actually listened to us, but not all the way. Like, they wanted to tell us - me and Orn - how messed up things had been but that it was all better and that we loved eachother and were a family... but my mom still wasn't going to come back home.
I just don't understand... my dad is all better finally. He isn't full of black makou, he isn't raging mad at little things, but she's still deciding to stay with Gilean. I could see how upset it made him... and when they tried to explain it to me... I broke down.
I cried like a stupid baby. Orn came over and hugged me and I don't know... it made me cry harder, but even then, he wouldn't just tell them that he wanted them back together. It's like he only wants it in secret. But, I told my mom I don't accept this new family of hers. I don't want Gilean as a stepdad, I don't want his boy as my brother... I told her she just needed to bring Nioma home and deal with her real family. I'm still moving out. No matter what, this situation isn't real until my mom realizes where she should be. She should be here with my dad. That's all there is to it.
Leandra
I lost it. I totally lost it. I mean, I knew that my dad had something planned when he said we had a family meeting to go to, not to bring Askari or Heiyu. It was ridiculous, there was my mom, Orn, and my dad sitting at the kitchen table. Of course they were fawning all over Orn but then... I don't know.
It's kinda like for the first time they actually listened to us, but not all the way. Like, they wanted to tell us - me and Orn - how messed up things had been but that it was all better and that we loved eachother and were a family... but my mom still wasn't going to come back home.
I just don't understand... my dad is all better finally. He isn't full of black makou, he isn't raging mad at little things, but she's still deciding to stay with Gilean. I could see how upset it made him... and when they tried to explain it to me... I broke down.
I cried like a stupid baby. Orn came over and hugged me and I don't know... it made me cry harder, but even then, he wouldn't just tell them that he wanted them back together. It's like he only wants it in secret. But, I told my mom I don't accept this new family of hers. I don't want Gilean as a stepdad, I don't want his boy as my brother... I told her she just needed to bring Nioma home and deal with her real family. I'm still moving out. No matter what, this situation isn't real until my mom realizes where she should be. She should be here with my dad. That's all there is to it.
Leandra
Current Character Description - Askari Wolldon
This young man appears to be about seventeen years old, but it can be hard to tell with his kind. He is obviously an esper, with slightly irridescent deep red skin that appears purplish at times. He wears a seemingly permanent sullen expression on his lean face and his dark lips are almost always pursed in a half frown. This young man's chin and cheekbomes are somehow angular yet rounded and smooth at the same time, handsome and strong yet delicate. The irises of his eyes are so deep red as to appear almost black, matching the short cropped black hair upon his head. He wears a long sleeved black button up shirt and well-worn tan leather pants. His shirt remains untucked and he often stands with his shoulders slumped and his hands crammed deep into his pockets. A long bow slung across his shoulders and quiver of arrows at his hip complete the ensemble.
Moving Out
Dear Diary,
I feel pretty bad. I think I really hurt my dad's feelings and I wasn't trying to, but he just won't listen to reason. I found him writing a song for my mom, trying to play a lyre, and sounding like a dying animal. He said he'd done it before but my mom made him go home. I guess that's when I called her and Gilean a jerk and everything kinda went downhill. I tried to be nice, honest. I just felt that feeling again.
Like a cold chill in my stomach that rises up and out to my hands while my face gets hot. It's like I can hear myself saying the words but I can't stop them from coming out. I reminded him how she slept with Ror AND Thasmudyan while he was out, in addition to Gilean. I mean, if she really loved any of them, she wouldn't have done that, right?
Well, he got moody and sad and I just realized that no matter what I said, he was always going to be upset for me saying it. Sucks, but I have to realize that a) I'll never have my parents together and devoted to each other, b)My mom is a whore, c)My dad has been duped, and d)No one will listen to me to hear the truth. So, I'm leaving. I already told Askari to start packing.
We're going to take Heiyu and move near the esper camp where Askari's racist dad used to live. I know we're leaving my dad by himself in this big house, but... I can't see him like this anymore and not be able to speak out. Maybe the space will help me to not be so angry. Who knows.
I love my dad, I wish he could feel it. I wish he would listen to me. If my mom would have only come back to him, committed, and apologized for her mistakes... maybe I could have loved her, too. The only thing left for me to do now is just walk away from both of them and let them sink or swim alone.
Leandra Stone
I feel pretty bad. I think I really hurt my dad's feelings and I wasn't trying to, but he just won't listen to reason. I found him writing a song for my mom, trying to play a lyre, and sounding like a dying animal. He said he'd done it before but my mom made him go home. I guess that's when I called her and Gilean a jerk and everything kinda went downhill. I tried to be nice, honest. I just felt that feeling again.
Like a cold chill in my stomach that rises up and out to my hands while my face gets hot. It's like I can hear myself saying the words but I can't stop them from coming out. I reminded him how she slept with Ror AND Thasmudyan while he was out, in addition to Gilean. I mean, if she really loved any of them, she wouldn't have done that, right?
Well, he got moody and sad and I just realized that no matter what I said, he was always going to be upset for me saying it. Sucks, but I have to realize that a) I'll never have my parents together and devoted to each other, b)My mom is a whore, c)My dad has been duped, and d)No one will listen to me to hear the truth. So, I'm leaving. I already told Askari to start packing.
We're going to take Heiyu and move near the esper camp where Askari's racist dad used to live. I know we're leaving my dad by himself in this big house, but... I can't see him like this anymore and not be able to speak out. Maybe the space will help me to not be so angry. Who knows.
I love my dad, I wish he could feel it. I wish he would listen to me. If my mom would have only come back to him, committed, and apologized for her mistakes... maybe I could have loved her, too. The only thing left for me to do now is just walk away from both of them and let them sink or swim alone.
Leandra Stone
Angry, Angry, Angsty-Pants
Leandra stared at the brook by the cavern and finally broke down. She wanted a lot of things she couldn't have, and now it really hit her and now she just felt stupid. She was old enough to know better - her mom was married to another man and was now missing. Sure, she borderline hated her mom, but not if she'd get back together with her dad and love him. Trouble was her dad didn't even remember being her dad in the first place. Watching him move around the cavern doing weird things because he thought some dude was after him... but even with all that... even without remembering, he was going to go try to save her mom. Leandra wept knowing she had hoped her mom stayed gone. She wept knowing she'd never have that part of her life.
Her thoughts turned to Askari and Heiyu. She had a son she barely paid attention to and the truth was she didn't know how. Gods knew she never had much attention... she wasn't even sure if she loved the boy - or Askari. She was just so damned mad all the time. She couldn't make it stop. No good reason. Or maybe just being alive was reason enough.
Her thoughts turned to Askari and Heiyu. She had a son she barely paid attention to and the truth was she didn't know how. Gods knew she never had much attention... she wasn't even sure if she loved the boy - or Askari. She was just so damned mad all the time. She couldn't make it stop. No good reason. Or maybe just being alive was reason enough.
Shitstorm
Dear Diary,
So, okay. I think I might have done something pretty stupid, but I don't feel like it's entirely my fault. I mean, my mom is a bit of a tart who likes to get around, I can't control that. But when Orn came and told me that Dad was there in the castle with all those Rilmani and mom, and that mom was staying away from him in order to shack up with some other dude... I couldn't just sit by and not do anything.
I know Orn told me that I should stay away from him because it would hurt him, I kinda went to the castle anyway and once I saw him again... I couldn't help but hug him and want to see him with mom. I kinda told him everything... that he was married and that his wife was with some other dude and that he had to do something. He got a pretty bad headache after all that.
It just sucks that he doesn't remember anything and that mom is so infatuated with some new guy that she's not even trying to help him. Orn and Mirin are gonna have kids and dad, who really likes kids, isn't going to see theirs or mine and even know they are his grandkids.
I just feel like I should pack up and leave this stupid cavern to Thasmudyan - the other, other guy - and take Askari and our little family and just move to the far continent. I think once mom finds out and then Orn finds out, they're going to be pretty pissed off with me. That's the other thing I wish. I wish I could control my temper better.
I just want my kid to have grandparents that are together and love eachother. It's not too much to ask. Dad's back and he's better. Why can't my mom just get her shit together and be with him??
*A heavy scribble is seen here, pressed so hard the parchment pages are ripped.*
This is so stupid.
So, okay. I think I might have done something pretty stupid, but I don't feel like it's entirely my fault. I mean, my mom is a bit of a tart who likes to get around, I can't control that. But when Orn came and told me that Dad was there in the castle with all those Rilmani and mom, and that mom was staying away from him in order to shack up with some other dude... I couldn't just sit by and not do anything.
I know Orn told me that I should stay away from him because it would hurt him, I kinda went to the castle anyway and once I saw him again... I couldn't help but hug him and want to see him with mom. I kinda told him everything... that he was married and that his wife was with some other dude and that he had to do something. He got a pretty bad headache after all that.
It just sucks that he doesn't remember anything and that mom is so infatuated with some new guy that she's not even trying to help him. Orn and Mirin are gonna have kids and dad, who really likes kids, isn't going to see theirs or mine and even know they are his grandkids.
I just feel like I should pack up and leave this stupid cavern to Thasmudyan - the other, other guy - and take Askari and our little family and just move to the far continent. I think once mom finds out and then Orn finds out, they're going to be pretty pissed off with me. That's the other thing I wish. I wish I could control my temper better.
I just want my kid to have grandparents that are together and love eachother. It's not too much to ask. Dad's back and he's better. Why can't my mom just get her shit together and be with him??
*A heavy scribble is seen here, pressed so hard the parchment pages are ripped.*
This is so stupid.
Letting Go
Sanria had enough time to check in with Leandra, who had been staying at the cavern alone with her husband, Askari and their baby, when Orn's voice sounded in her mind. "Leandra, can you watch Nioma while I check in with your brother?"
"How long are you going to be?" Leandra asked, hand on her hip.
"I... please? It shouldn't be long."
"Yeah, sure." Leandra took Nioma into her arms with a nod. "You gotta be sure you're back soon, though. I know how Orn is and how he thinks he's like, the most important thing on the planet."
"Leandra-"
"I know, I know. He still gets on my nerves."
Sanria arrived in her office to find Orn already waiting. She had a feeling, that could only be described as a curling cold in her stomach. When Orn pulled the note she had written to the clan from his pocket, her worst thoughts were confirmed. Everything in her wanted to send him out of the office right then, but she would have to listen. She tried to turn off her own motherly instincts, her face going authoritative to hear what she knew was coming: "I got the missive. And I want to help."
"Alright," Sanria said, leaning on her desk. "What was it that you wanted to do?"
"Reggie and I, we can help to free Westbridge."
"And... how are you wanting to do this?"
"These Radiant Heart people... they are supposed to be helping to liberate the city, right?"
"Yes, they will be doing the fighting. Not us." The look on Orn's face gave away the fact he had caught her in her own lie. "But you said they need help."
"We don't know what they need just yet."
"Then why did you ask for people to help if you don't want them to sign up to help?"
She couldn't keep up her facade, and her shoulders slumped ever so slightly. She would have to come clean with her desire. "I... I can't have you putting yourself in that position."
"What? Mom. And if Kineada or Kronk were to come and say he was going to help them fight, would you tell him that you don't want him doing that?"
"No. I wouldn't. But he's experienced in fighting and he's not my s..."
"Mom, I didn't join the clan so I could be treated differently because I'm your son."
"Orn... I can't have you fighting. Please... if there's something else, anything else..."
"Mom. I know how to fight. Dad taught me a lot... before... and it's not exactly like they need someone to gather intelligence from trees."
"You're not my little boy anymore."
"No Mom, I'm not."
"Then what more can I say?"
"That you believe in me?"
The statement left Sanria speechless for a few moments. She did believe in him, but he was also her child, and she couldn't shake the feeling that Colin would be of the same mindset. Still, it was this moment she also realized that the child she and so many others had protected was as much a man as the men of her clan. She watched Orn go, promising to let Radiant know they could count on him, and felt the overwhelming need to get home. There, she could let herself feel in privacy. There, she wasn't a leader, but a mother who had just promised her son in battle.
"How long are you going to be?" Leandra asked, hand on her hip.
"I... please? It shouldn't be long."
"Yeah, sure." Leandra took Nioma into her arms with a nod. "You gotta be sure you're back soon, though. I know how Orn is and how he thinks he's like, the most important thing on the planet."
"Leandra-"
"I know, I know. He still gets on my nerves."
Sanria arrived in her office to find Orn already waiting. She had a feeling, that could only be described as a curling cold in her stomach. When Orn pulled the note she had written to the clan from his pocket, her worst thoughts were confirmed. Everything in her wanted to send him out of the office right then, but she would have to listen. She tried to turn off her own motherly instincts, her face going authoritative to hear what she knew was coming: "I got the missive. And I want to help."
"Alright," Sanria said, leaning on her desk. "What was it that you wanted to do?"
"Reggie and I, we can help to free Westbridge."
"And... how are you wanting to do this?"
"These Radiant Heart people... they are supposed to be helping to liberate the city, right?"
"Yes, they will be doing the fighting. Not us." The look on Orn's face gave away the fact he had caught her in her own lie. "But you said they need help."
"We don't know what they need just yet."
"Then why did you ask for people to help if you don't want them to sign up to help?"
She couldn't keep up her facade, and her shoulders slumped ever so slightly. She would have to come clean with her desire. "I... I can't have you putting yourself in that position."
"What? Mom. And if Kineada or Kronk were to come and say he was going to help them fight, would you tell him that you don't want him doing that?"
"No. I wouldn't. But he's experienced in fighting and he's not my s..."
"Mom, I didn't join the clan so I could be treated differently because I'm your son."
"Orn... I can't have you fighting. Please... if there's something else, anything else..."
"Mom. I know how to fight. Dad taught me a lot... before... and it's not exactly like they need someone to gather intelligence from trees."
"You're not my little boy anymore."
"No Mom, I'm not."
"Then what more can I say?"
"That you believe in me?"
The statement left Sanria speechless for a few moments. She did believe in him, but he was also her child, and she couldn't shake the feeling that Colin would be of the same mindset. Still, it was this moment she also realized that the child she and so many others had protected was as much a man as the men of her clan. She watched Orn go, promising to let Radiant know they could count on him, and felt the overwhelming need to get home. There, she could let herself feel in privacy. There, she wasn't a leader, but a mother who had just promised her son in battle.
Waiting
Sanria scanned Dryden's reply slowly and laid the missive on her desk with a sigh. They didn't necessarily need any help, which was good, but he made mention that there had been a long silence, broken by her proposal to help. It struck her as odd. Why had things been so quiet? Even as she sat looking over the paper on her desk, her mind was wandering. Why hadn't she heard anything from Radiant Heart? At least the Hoard seemed willing to use Vorcet's help, but the silence from Radiant Heart troubled her. If they were the remaining piece, the piece poised to enter the city and reclaim it... where were they?
Rolling the parchment, Sanria stuck it in her desk and sat back, thinking. She knew at least that Dryden's reply would meet with Vorcet's eyes without her help, one less thing for her to do. Her job then was to let the rest of the Keepers know what was going on and if they wanted to lend their help to either of the forces - Hoard or Radiant Heart (provided they answered) - let them do so. Anything to end the suffering once and for all.
Sanria pulled out her own parchment and quill and set about forming a letter, one to all the Keepers. It was short, and once she finished, she stood up and called to Enmach. The silvery woman appeared with Nioma, and Sanria took the baby from her arms. She hadn't been back to the cavern in a long while, and with Colin gone, she knew Leandra and Askari were left on their own. Though she'd heard nothing, it would be good to look in on them.
Her note sent to the clan, Sanria uttered a few words and brought herself home. It was strange walking into the cavern without anyone there to greet her. She had kept herself from thinking about Colin by staying away, keeping busy in the castle, but now, in the cavern, the big man's absence was palpable.
Sanria straightened her shoulders and took in a deep breath and called out to her daughter.
Rolling the parchment, Sanria stuck it in her desk and sat back, thinking. She knew at least that Dryden's reply would meet with Vorcet's eyes without her help, one less thing for her to do. Her job then was to let the rest of the Keepers know what was going on and if they wanted to lend their help to either of the forces - Hoard or Radiant Heart (provided they answered) - let them do so. Anything to end the suffering once and for all.
Sanria pulled out her own parchment and quill and set about forming a letter, one to all the Keepers. It was short, and once she finished, she stood up and called to Enmach. The silvery woman appeared with Nioma, and Sanria took the baby from her arms. She hadn't been back to the cavern in a long while, and with Colin gone, she knew Leandra and Askari were left on their own. Though she'd heard nothing, it would be good to look in on them.
Her note sent to the clan, Sanria uttered a few words and brought herself home. It was strange walking into the cavern without anyone there to greet her. She had kept herself from thinking about Colin by staying away, keeping busy in the castle, but now, in the cavern, the big man's absence was palpable.
Sanria straightened her shoulders and took in a deep breath and called out to her daughter.
Mrs. Wolldon
Leandra looked down at the bundle in her arms. Truth was she was afraid of the tiny infant that lay there, sleeping. She'd never had a baby before and it hurt like hell. He came out screaming and didn't quiet until her mom put him in her arms. She was afraid because for the first time, Leandra realized she really was a mom and really did actually marry Askari. She realized they had no where to live but here with her mom and dad. She looked at Askari and saw that he was afraid, too.
Even the day of her wedding, as she and Askari stared at each other in the druid grove, even as the Elder Druid looked at them like they were too young but trying, even as she repeated the druid's words and squeezed Askari's hands and put the ring on his finger, she was afraid. Was the rest of her life going to be fear like this?
The baby (they couldn't even figure out what to name him yet) stirred and brought Leandra's eyes onto him. He was cute - with the dark hair of his dad and the dark eyes of his dad and the lighter red skin of his dad... and Leandra's mind wandered. Maybe Esper genes were stronger than human genes. Maybe.
Leandra called to her dad. She asked him to let her and Askari stay until they found their own house. She talked to Colin and felt her heart sink. She could tell he wasn't proud of her, maybe even embarrassed by her but he said that wasn't true. Then, Leandra's mind wandered to Nioma. She asked her father if he'd be telling the baby who her real dad was - but every time she asked, Colin just got mad. Like he didn't think she had a different dad... like he didn't care that she wouldn't know when she got bigger. Sometimes, though, it was good to know when to stop talking.
Askari came back into the room after her dad left, and Leandra looked at him closely. He was her husband now, and her baby's dad, and she did love him. She may not know everything about him yet, but she would, and even though things still didn't feel completely right, and even though she was still afraid, at least looking at him made her feel not alone. She would never again be alone.
Even the day of her wedding, as she and Askari stared at each other in the druid grove, even as the Elder Druid looked at them like they were too young but trying, even as she repeated the druid's words and squeezed Askari's hands and put the ring on his finger, she was afraid. Was the rest of her life going to be fear like this?
The baby (they couldn't even figure out what to name him yet) stirred and brought Leandra's eyes onto him. He was cute - with the dark hair of his dad and the dark eyes of his dad and the lighter red skin of his dad... and Leandra's mind wandered. Maybe Esper genes were stronger than human genes. Maybe.
Leandra called to her dad. She asked him to let her and Askari stay until they found their own house. She talked to Colin and felt her heart sink. She could tell he wasn't proud of her, maybe even embarrassed by her but he said that wasn't true. Then, Leandra's mind wandered to Nioma. She asked her father if he'd be telling the baby who her real dad was - but every time she asked, Colin just got mad. Like he didn't think she had a different dad... like he didn't care that she wouldn't know when she got bigger. Sometimes, though, it was good to know when to stop talking.
Askari came back into the room after her dad left, and Leandra looked at him closely. He was her husband now, and her baby's dad, and she did love him. She may not know everything about him yet, but she would, and even though things still didn't feel completely right, and even though she was still afraid, at least looking at him made her feel not alone. She would never again be alone.
Grounded!
It was so boring. More than boring it was like, ugh, frustrating. How many times could Leandra count the leaves on the tree that grew in her room? How many times could she stare at the walls, the winking crystals. Ugh! Leandra put a hand on her stomach and patted it lightly. It was still relatively flat, barely anything there, but it was kinda cool to think that there was something in there. A little boy - eventually. Leandra sighed and sat up on her bed. She had to get rid of the boredom.
Peeking out her door, the coast clear, Leandra slipped down the stairwell and opened the heavy front door. She thought of going to Skive and asking him to fly her somewhere, but that would alert her mother that she was out of her room. If she went to Askari's house, they'd certainly tell on her - she couldn't appear and disappear like Askari could. So, Leandra shrugged and decided to go to town - Westbridge - simply because... she'd never been and she was bored.
It was a bit of a walk, but Leandra made decent time. Whenever a traveler passed her, she kept her gaze averted just in case they might have known she was her mother's daughter. She reached the gates and her mouth fell open. It was like... huge! The buildings, the soldiers, the people, even the smell - like food and body odor and - Leandra's eyes fell on the bench in Market Square. Who the hell was that?
Leandra crept closer, looking at the woman who barely wore clothes. She looked wild somehow, all those markings and piercings and tattoos... and she looked sad. Then Leandra heard a word tumble from the woman's lips that sent a shock of electricity through her body. "Thasmudyan."
Peeking out her door, the coast clear, Leandra slipped down the stairwell and opened the heavy front door. She thought of going to Skive and asking him to fly her somewhere, but that would alert her mother that she was out of her room. If she went to Askari's house, they'd certainly tell on her - she couldn't appear and disappear like Askari could. So, Leandra shrugged and decided to go to town - Westbridge - simply because... she'd never been and she was bored.
It was a bit of a walk, but Leandra made decent time. Whenever a traveler passed her, she kept her gaze averted just in case they might have known she was her mother's daughter. She reached the gates and her mouth fell open. It was like... huge! The buildings, the soldiers, the people, even the smell - like food and body odor and - Leandra's eyes fell on the bench in Market Square. Who the hell was that?
Leandra crept closer, looking at the woman who barely wore clothes. She looked wild somehow, all those markings and piercings and tattoos... and she looked sad. Then Leandra heard a word tumble from the woman's lips that sent a shock of electricity through her body. "Thasmudyan."
Mother's Spirit
Time had marched on. Claire didn't know by how far or for how long. Everything bled into the same and more of the same. She was in her bedroom, reading one of the same books she had read twice before, when Gilean's telepath brought her to the dining room.
There was Sanria and Leandra, the girl looking wan and pale. With Askari in attendance, they were told that Leandra - a girl of no more than fourteen or fifteen - was pregnant, and Askari was the father.
Claire felt suffocated. She couldn't breathe, but there was no where she could go. She forced herself to sit at the table, her mouth hanging open, contemplating what had been said. And when the two announced they would get married, Claire had been the first to object. They couldn't, they couldn't move out. They... he... he couldn't leave. She hadn't been able to fix them... she hadn't been able to make him understand, and now he might be leaving...
Leandra and her mother left, and before Claire could say a word, Askari vanished back to his room. Claire wanted to cry, but there would be no tears. She stood up and excused herself from Gilean. In a flash of light, she appeared in their bathroom and vomited into the sink.
There was Sanria and Leandra, the girl looking wan and pale. With Askari in attendance, they were told that Leandra - a girl of no more than fourteen or fifteen - was pregnant, and Askari was the father.
Claire felt suffocated. She couldn't breathe, but there was no where she could go. She forced herself to sit at the table, her mouth hanging open, contemplating what had been said. And when the two announced they would get married, Claire had been the first to object. They couldn't, they couldn't move out. They... he... he couldn't leave. She hadn't been able to fix them... she hadn't been able to make him understand, and now he might be leaving...
Leandra and her mother left, and before Claire could say a word, Askari vanished back to his room. Claire wanted to cry, but there would be no tears. She stood up and excused herself from Gilean. In a flash of light, she appeared in their bathroom and vomited into the sink.
Announcements
Magic lifted Sanria and Leandra to Claire and Gilean's cottage, where Gilean greeted them and ushered them inside. Sanria felt hollow, and oddly numb as Gilean asked about Colin and Orn - he knew something wasn't quite right. The five of them, including Askari once he found out Leandra was there, gathered in the dining room. Claire looked small, almost mousy, as though she were cowed in some deep way. Gilean appeared to be his normal self and Askari... Sanria gave a long inward sigh. The boy was moody, hormonal, and the father of her daughter's child. How in the nine hells had this happened?
"I... wasn't feeling good so... my mom tried to heal me..." Leandra began,
"I... kept feeling like I was gonna throw up, you know..."
"I'm sure my Mom can make you better, right mom?" Askari asked.
"I could try," Claire said slowly.
"There is more," Sanria interrupted. And she saw the shock register as she looked over at Gilean's face.
"My mom took me to the druid grove to... see if the Elders could figure out what was wrong... And... they... they... I..."
"You're with child," Gilean finished.
"Well... that's... I mean... why are you here, though?" Claire asked.
"W... wait... a baby?" Askari said with trepidation.
"Wait... no... no no... not... Askari?" Claire said, her voice in a tremor.
"Oh... oh yes, it is..." Gilean said quietly.
"But that means that... they'd... Askari?!"
"What Mom? I... I love Leandra!" Askari defiantly proclaimed.
Oh not this. Not love. Sanria felt a twinge in the pit of her stomach. All of this was just too fast, they didn't even know what love was... come to think of it, did she? "It appears we are to be grandparents. Well... I will be again, but..." Sanria trailed off.
Gilean, for all the world, seemed nearly happy for the children, which irked Sanria a tad. This was serious, not a time to be delighting in the world of kids bringing about more kids. She watched him heal Leandra of her morning sickness, and even tell them that their child was to be a boy. Both Askari and Leandra seemed wrapped in their own world, and Claire seemed void of even the air in her lungs. "It's alright," Gilean said. "We'll help them through. Believe me... I have seem many younger parents than them."
"Younger?" Sanria asked in disbelief.
"More often that you might think. At least these two have all of us to help support them... but Colin's not here."
"He isn't quite happy about this and... given his disposition recently... we thought it better he stay."
"Oh... I... I see..."
"I'll make sure no harm comes to Askari," Sanria offered.
After subduing Leandra and Askari's talk of getting married and moving out so as not to be like the adults that were in their lives, and reminding her daughter that she should not ask at the current moment to stay with Askari, Sanria took Leandra home where the grounding remained in effect. For herself, Sanria crept into her private study and closed the door behind her.
"I... wasn't feeling good so... my mom tried to heal me..." Leandra began,
"I... kept feeling like I was gonna throw up, you know..."
"I'm sure my Mom can make you better, right mom?" Askari asked.
"I could try," Claire said slowly.
"There is more," Sanria interrupted. And she saw the shock register as she looked over at Gilean's face.
"My mom took me to the druid grove to... see if the Elders could figure out what was wrong... And... they... they... I..."
"You're with child," Gilean finished.
"Well... that's... I mean... why are you here, though?" Claire asked.
"W... wait... a baby?" Askari said with trepidation.
"Wait... no... no no... not... Askari?" Claire said, her voice in a tremor.
"Oh... oh yes, it is..." Gilean said quietly.
"But that means that... they'd... Askari?!"
"What Mom? I... I love Leandra!" Askari defiantly proclaimed.
Oh not this. Not love. Sanria felt a twinge in the pit of her stomach. All of this was just too fast, they didn't even know what love was... come to think of it, did she? "It appears we are to be grandparents. Well... I will be again, but..." Sanria trailed off.
Gilean, for all the world, seemed nearly happy for the children, which irked Sanria a tad. This was serious, not a time to be delighting in the world of kids bringing about more kids. She watched him heal Leandra of her morning sickness, and even tell them that their child was to be a boy. Both Askari and Leandra seemed wrapped in their own world, and Claire seemed void of even the air in her lungs. "It's alright," Gilean said. "We'll help them through. Believe me... I have seem many younger parents than them."
"Younger?" Sanria asked in disbelief.
"More often that you might think. At least these two have all of us to help support them... but Colin's not here."
"He isn't quite happy about this and... given his disposition recently... we thought it better he stay."
"Oh... I... I see..."
"I'll make sure no harm comes to Askari," Sanria offered.
After subduing Leandra and Askari's talk of getting married and moving out so as not to be like the adults that were in their lives, and reminding her daughter that she should not ask at the current moment to stay with Askari, Sanria took Leandra home where the grounding remained in effect. For herself, Sanria crept into her private study and closed the door behind her.
Failure
The news came as a crushing blow to Sanria and the world seemed to shift precariously beneath her feet. Her daughter was pregnant. How could she have neglected to tell her the way these things worked? Had she truly been so blind as to assume that she really knew? They walked home, Sanria's mind reeling - Colin was going to lose it - she'd have to step in, calm him, all the things she had to do all the time - things that made her weary.
"Colin, can you come to Leandra's room," Sanria telepathed, and she rocked in the chair, her chin resting on two steepled fingers, silent as Leandra sat beside her. When Colin arrived, things went roughly as she had expected.
"Pregnant?" he asked between clenched teeth. "No... no... you can't be. They must be mistaken. I mean, you haven't.. You haven't..." Colin looked to her. "She hasn't..."
"I... I didn't know... and... me and Askari... we..." Leandra said quietly.
"You... and Askari!?"
"Papa... I didn't... know that would happen... and things just..."
"That little..." and Colin let fly a punch into the wall that left a crack.
Sanria stood up with patience, tired patience, and went to Colin, laying a hand on his arm. "It took both of them to do this and what is done is done."
"What he did... to our little girl..."
"No, Papa... he didn't... I mean, we both did... it..." Leandra said.
"We should have known with Orn that we needed to talk to her, but we didn't."
"Oh... oh my little girl..."
"Papa... I'm not... hurt..."
Sanria heard the words. Leandra was right, she wasn't hurt. She was just a girl who was pregnant. Her daughter. The one she'd been neglecting as she tried to figure out her own life. She was guilty. For all the talk of balance, she'd forgotten this one crucial piece and life was obligingly filling in for her in ways unimaginable.
Much to Colin's chagrin, Sanria offered her daughter a way out. One which, like her father, Leandra balked at, saying, "I... don't think I wanna kill a baby, Mama."
"Then we will help you... but you need to tell Askari. Can you manage, or do you need to stay here, Colin?"
"I'm not sure I'm ready to see him quite yet."
"I'm sorry, Mama... Papa... I'm sorry," Leandra whispered.
"Everything will be alright... we'll make it through as a family," Colin said, rising to hug Leandra. And Sanria couldn't help but hear that as a clear indication of Colin's expectations.
"Colin, can you come to Leandra's room," Sanria telepathed, and she rocked in the chair, her chin resting on two steepled fingers, silent as Leandra sat beside her. When Colin arrived, things went roughly as she had expected.
"Pregnant?" he asked between clenched teeth. "No... no... you can't be. They must be mistaken. I mean, you haven't.. You haven't..." Colin looked to her. "She hasn't..."
"I... I didn't know... and... me and Askari... we..." Leandra said quietly.
"You... and Askari!?"
"Papa... I didn't... know that would happen... and things just..."
"That little..." and Colin let fly a punch into the wall that left a crack.
Sanria stood up with patience, tired patience, and went to Colin, laying a hand on his arm. "It took both of them to do this and what is done is done."
"What he did... to our little girl..."
"No, Papa... he didn't... I mean, we both did... it..." Leandra said.
"We should have known with Orn that we needed to talk to her, but we didn't."
"Oh... oh my little girl..."
"Papa... I'm not... hurt..."
Sanria heard the words. Leandra was right, she wasn't hurt. She was just a girl who was pregnant. Her daughter. The one she'd been neglecting as she tried to figure out her own life. She was guilty. For all the talk of balance, she'd forgotten this one crucial piece and life was obligingly filling in for her in ways unimaginable.
Much to Colin's chagrin, Sanria offered her daughter a way out. One which, like her father, Leandra balked at, saying, "I... don't think I wanna kill a baby, Mama."
"Then we will help you... but you need to tell Askari. Can you manage, or do you need to stay here, Colin?"
"I'm not sure I'm ready to see him quite yet."
"I'm sorry, Mama... Papa... I'm sorry," Leandra whispered.
"Everything will be alright... we'll make it through as a family," Colin said, rising to hug Leandra. And Sanria couldn't help but hear that as a clear indication of Colin's expectations.
Like... no way
Really, no way. If it hadn't been the Elder Druid telling her himself, Leandra wouldn't have ever believed it. Her mom looked like she was about to pass out on the ground and Leandra didn't know what to do if that happened. She'd have to tell her dad... and she'd have to tell Askari. She really liked him, too, and he was probably going to want to get away from her. Like, really far away from her. Who wants a baby if you're not together like that? Damnit, Leandra thought to herself, I'm just like my stupid, moron mom.
The walk home was tense. Leandra was mortified, but kept glancing over at Sanria, watching her run her hand through her hair like she did a lot lately. Ever since she'd started being in that Keepers clan, actually. Like it all made her nervous or something, but this was... excessive. Leandra thought that if she kept it up, she might pull all her hair out. She put her eyes on the road.
"Your father is going to be furious, Leandra... but it's our fault. We didn't tell you anything about... that. We should have known better."
"It's not you guy's fault -"
"No," Sanria snapped. "It is. You're going to tell your father, but I'm going to have to soothe him. He's probably going to want to kill that boy."
"That's my boy*friend* Mama. Askari is his name."
Leandra jumped when Sanria turned to her, pointing a finger in Leandra's face. "Do you think this is funny?"
"What... what did I say? Sheesh."
"Young lady, you have a child in there and you're a child yourself. If you think for a minute your father is going to care what the hell that boy's name is, outside of knowing it to go wring his neck, you are sorely mistaken."
"Sorry..." Leandra muttered with a frown.
They continued walking and the closer they came to the cavern, the deeper the sick feeling got for Leandra. Of course, her mom was right. Even the thought of her dad getting mad, that vein on his forehead... Leandra frowned as the walked into the house and up to her room. She was so nervous she almost threw up. Her mom called for her dad, and they sat in silence, waiting.
The walk home was tense. Leandra was mortified, but kept glancing over at Sanria, watching her run her hand through her hair like she did a lot lately. Ever since she'd started being in that Keepers clan, actually. Like it all made her nervous or something, but this was... excessive. Leandra thought that if she kept it up, she might pull all her hair out. She put her eyes on the road.
"Your father is going to be furious, Leandra... but it's our fault. We didn't tell you anything about... that. We should have known better."
"It's not you guy's fault -"
"No," Sanria snapped. "It is. You're going to tell your father, but I'm going to have to soothe him. He's probably going to want to kill that boy."
"That's my boy*friend* Mama. Askari is his name."
Leandra jumped when Sanria turned to her, pointing a finger in Leandra's face. "Do you think this is funny?"
"What... what did I say? Sheesh."
"Young lady, you have a child in there and you're a child yourself. If you think for a minute your father is going to care what the hell that boy's name is, outside of knowing it to go wring his neck, you are sorely mistaken."
"Sorry..." Leandra muttered with a frown.
They continued walking and the closer they came to the cavern, the deeper the sick feeling got for Leandra. Of course, her mom was right. Even the thought of her dad getting mad, that vein on his forehead... Leandra frowned as the walked into the house and up to her room. She was so nervous she almost threw up. Her mom called for her dad, and they sat in silence, waiting.
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