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 Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 10:00 am
Ah, she was being lectured. She was used to this, yet that familiar frustration built. Eliza never truly thought for herself, or considered how she felt. It was hard to when your parents ensured you were a tool to be used for their popularity. She wasn't particularly fond of being lectured by Zahneel, either. It was meant in good faith, she was sure, but it didn't stop her from feeling as if her life was directed by others, or criticized. For a second, her mouth tightened, an unpleasant sensation running through her before she reminded herself to calm. She was good at that, after all.
"My parents happiness." She responded tightly, tone tense. "It isn't as if I know anything else. This is how things just are. I've never had time to myself, or friends, so it seems only natural." The sigh caused a brief start, her body so tense it had forgotten that another person was making sound. Zahneel's tone had grown sterner, and Eliza responded accordingly, her tendrils flashing in frustration. She had barely met this person, and already her life was being picked at.
"My parents call every night. If I did not respond, they'd, I'm sure, send for help. I have weekly visitations with the nurse to ensure my health is not compromised." Her own tone had hardened, becoming defensive. She wasn't so sure she was amused anymore.
"Things are not as simple. If I misbehave, they remove me from the academy. As you mentioned before, I can't be expected to be by myself, forever. The academy is all I have for some way to surround myself with people, even if I can't talk to them myself. I don't wish to return to homeschooling, so I do as I am told." For a second, her voice wavered, a brief touch of fear on the edge. She didn't want to lose the academy, and to not lose it she needed to do as told. Zahneel threatened that structure, and for a second Eliza was scared. What would happen now?
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 10:45 am
For a moment, Zahneel wanted to argue and rail at this aloof girl. Wanted to shake her and demand that she take some time and live a little. Then, the sense of what Eliza was saying sank in.
"Oh hells," she muttered, hackles smoothing down as she calmed. She didn't want to end up getting anyone yanked out of the Academy, after all. Nor had she meant to imply that Eliza's parents didn't care. "I'm sorry, Eliza. I spoke thoughtlessly. But," she added in a coaxing tone, "to be fair, I've never met anyone with a situation like yours. I'll do my best to not say or do anything that your parents could use to take you away."
Feeling that her offer, as it stood, wasn't nearly enough, she got to her feet and began pacing. She was sure that Eliza could benefit from having at least one friend. And equally certain that she needed to experience something of the world beyond the classrooms. As an idea began to bloom, she felt her tail gently wag and turned to the blind girl.
Reaching out, she placed one hand over Eliza's own and did her best to resist the urge to hug the other girl.
"Please accept my apology and let me do something for you. You said that you don't ever know what race you're talking to, yes? Let me get lunch for you, but we don't have to stay in the cafeteria. We can go into the gardens. No one will bother us and I'll see the flowers and plants and people for you. I'm good at describing things. And it's such a beautiful day, I'm sure the sun would do you some good."
Giving Eliza's hand a gentle squeeze, she went on in her friendliest voice, doing her best to coax this girl into bending her own rules, just a little.
"You'll be able to smell the flowers on the breeze and I'll even pick a vase-full for you, if you want. Please say yes."
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 10:56 am
Did the lecture stop? Eliza couldn't help but tilt her head, surprised. Her parents never conceded. The lecture would always continue until Eliza grew silent. This was strange. Wrong, even. She had a say, and her say was listened to.
What was this?
And then Zahneel spoke, and Eliza's tendrils sputtered, again. Zahneel was staying around? It seemed so, if Zahneel was saying she'd try and do things that wouldn't end up in Eliza's removal. That meant there'd be more meetings. Why? Eliza was boring. She wasn't like other students. She wasn't interesting, like Zahneel was. So why? As she was trying to piece together what had exactly just happened, Zahneel was trucking on ahead, and Eliza needed to focus to hear her.
The apology caused her to pause, her frown turning into a faint line. That was new, again. It was nice, too. "If you insist..." She whispered, contemplating. Zahneel was right, the garden was secluded. Not many came by, or so she had experienced when she went on her own. The hand squeeze was enough to break her from her worries, gloved hand twitching within Zahneel's.
".... Okay." She finally responded, voice hesitant as she approached this new life changing event. She was going to eat with someone. Someone was touching her. Sure, her hands were gloved, but she could feel Zahneel's warm hands. It was comforting, even. It felt reassuring.
"Okay." This time, her tone was more certain, as if she had just checked in with herself and confirmed that yes, this was what was happening, and she was okay with it.
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Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 11:09 am
Grinning jubilantly, Zahneel did swoop down and wrap Eliza in a gentle bear hug before offering her hands to the other girl to assist her to her feet.
"Thank you! I promise I'll make sure you stay safe the whole time. I'll get you settled in the gardens first and then run and get food for us."
As Zahneel carefully herded the other girl from the room, mindful of her disability and tininess, she thought that she'd grab a couple of thing to make lunch a bit more comfortable for the other girl while she was getting food. Maybe even grab one of the fur babies to entertain Eliza.
"It'll be good, you'll see," she murmured.
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