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Aisrhan... deep in her soul, had fear in her heart. Fear that this thing called family... was beyond her reach- or that, no matter how strange it seemed to her at times- that those she was closest to would be harmed. That night when Valelldia had hurt her mother- however unintentionally- had left a scar upon the girl. And she had been there when the woman had brought Khevashi into the world... with such violence. The snake-child had fear. But that didn't keep her from desperately wanting to understand this thing... called family.

So as the glasses were raised in toast to family, and to her part in it... Ais took a leap of faith, and connected with the loving meij that ran through that night. ...It was a leap of fear, however. And it was yet to be seen how this child of the darkness would fare...

But for now, at least, she was loved.

(((( eek gonk eek heart heart I know! ))))

"And I'm Lorelei," Lor said, smiling. "I'd very much like to meet your mother, as well! Would that be possible?"

"My name's Lizzeh," the girl said, proudly, then looked around.

"Well, if you helped me wih tha cages.... okay. Bu' mamma's working. So..."

"We won't keep her from that for too long, dear," Lorelei assured her. "And then we'll help you carry all your butterflies back!"

Lizzy clapped her hands and giggled. "Okays!"

Lorelei bent, picking up a few of the other cages. Lizzy's mother must have helped the little girl carry all of these out in the morning - while they weren't heavy, there was a surprising amount of them.

All loaded up, Lorelei turned back to Lizzy and said, "Lead the way!"

The beaming little girl trotted off in one direction, looking over her shoulder every few moments.

Ah, if only the poor child had made a wish. The blessed water was kind to those who offered it a paltry piece of gold, and who gave it a tender wish. However, it was steeled... quite vengefully against those with greed in mind. It did not recognize that a hand might take its bounty for another- only that a hand had touched its surface...

The water became as hard as crystal, and a flash of light propelled Rojiza backwards. She sailed into the fence- and luckily.... outwardly... was unharmed. A dark grey and gold flashed through the child's eyes... but she would remember it not. It was gone in a moment- and would likely be forgotten just as simply... she looked so unharmed.

For now... she was.

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After a short walk, they came to a small apartment building, more rundown than most of Seinheph (but still in relatively good condition versus some of the slums of, say, Tempranillo.) It was crowded. There was quite a bit of noise.

"Momma washes clothes. She should be here soon..." Lizzy looked around, poking her nose around corners. "We should go put the buhflies 'way." She hurried into the apartment building, beckoning for Lor and Voltaire to follow.

When they got through the crowded, noisy stairway, they came to a dirty, worn door. A man stood in front of it, well dressed, with rings on his fingers and long, impeccably combed hair.

"Oh. Elizabeth, there you are," he said, voice haughty. "Where is your mother?"

Lizzy stopped, glaring at him. "Go 'way!"

"Elizabeth, dear, I will - as soon as I speak with your mother."

"You're evil! Go 'way!"

"If you don't tell me where your mother is-"

"Is something wrong, sir?" Lorelei asked, clearing her throat and walking up next to Lizzy, placing a hand on the girl's shoulder. "It's not very polite to raise your voice to a little girl."

"She's in my way," he responded, glaring at the newcomer.

"Hm, what? She's brought a small army? I don't really care what you think of my manners - I am a man of business, and I aim to complete my work. Elizabeth's mother owes me a great deal of money, and is well behind on her payments. I have the right, by law, to get what is mine.

"One way or another." Something about his voice sounded... almost... lecherous? Maybe. There was definitely a dark undertone. Either his aim was to take Elizabeth's mother for himself (a possibility, as Lizzy didn't seem to have a father), or to put Lizzy to work in one of the mines to pay of the debt.

Maybe both.

"And how are you planning on getting this money? They're trying as hard as they can - Lizzy stands out in the streets selling butterflies, for heaven's sake! What more could you ask of them?" Lorelei glowered, reminded of some of her father's colleagues.