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 Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 3:58 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"And she went back to them?" Valerian couldn't help the question that popped out of his mouth, a flush covering his cheeks from the outburst. He would have never willingly gone back onto such a thing after that! He had braved it for visiting family but to go back after surviving an initial accident? It was like his grandmother was testing fate! "Sorry." He murmured feeling sheepish as he looked towards Zadia. "She's a lot braver than me." Brave was a word, at least. It was funny how his relatives considered his father a bit odd and even feral, but even his father knew when to not press his luck. It just seemed like such a crazy gamble and here they were because of it.
He did relax at the sight of the smile, thankful that he could at least offer some aid during this rough time. Though his expression did shift into a small disappointed frown, the teen trying his best to understand even though it was disappointing to hear. "It's important, I understand." He managed finally, his expression somber even as he accepted their reality. "This is a rare situation though. It's not every day you hear about any ship crashing or sinking." Valerian offered, realizing that if Zadia didn't take an airship home that it would be an ocean journey for her. That was probably terrifying to someone not accustomed to ocean travel, especially with all the stories some sailors came home with. Even Valerian had heard some while living all the way out in Tale. Still surely things would be alright, they just had to be. If he thought otherwise then he would panic and that would do nothing to help their situation.
"I suppose only time will tell." Valerian agreed, forcing a small smile. "We'll see what happens when they find out more. If anything maybe one day once you gather enough research you can make the trip back to settle, if wanted." That would be nice, having all of his family within a reasonable distance instead of divided by a whole ocean. Though Valerian was mature enough to understand it wasn't always possible for things to be so simple.
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Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2023 11:12 am
[9]
Instead of being appalled Zadia quirked her maw into a grin. "That's who she is." Or was. She couldn't say she would have done the same if their roles had been reversed, but Maritza wasn't one to stop. At the tender age of sixteen she'd survived a crash that had ended the lives of dozens. And still, after a brief recovery, she'd enlisted and gone to work with the very same crew. She'd lived her life on the razors's edge and Zadia couldn't help wondering if this had been her time to fall. "It's okay. You don't have to watch yourself around me. Mother can be...harsh and I know she wasn't well liked in the family when she and father first...well, when we were conceived." 'Got together' would have been a lie, considering they had never truly started 'dating' until the triplets were well into their primary years. "But she never stops and that's what I love about her. If you tell her 'no' she's just going to go behind your back and do it anyway."
For a while after the triplets were born Maritza had stayed home. She worked out of the dock, making repairs when she could and spending the majority of her time acting as wet nurse to her children. When they were older she returned, only to stop again for Marcella, but still, she went back. At the time Maritza had never understood it. Why would their mother be okay being gone all the time? But now that she was working herself she knew. It wasn't that Maritza didn't care for them; she just wanted to care for herself, too.
"...You can just say you miss me, Valerian." Her smile softened and Zadia patted the spot next to her. "Come on, sit with me."
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Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2023 12:00 pm
[Sabra via Discord]
"Thanks." Valerian offered Zadia a small smile, the teen still feeling a bit sheepish despite her words. He usually was the well behaved one who carefully picked his words as to not cause trouble for others. This though? It was hard to even fathom someone diving back into danger time after time. Just the one trip had been enough to give him butterflies for days! "Ah, yeah. I guess stubbornness fits within the family regardless of everything else." Valerian acknowledged with faint amusement despite the situation. His father and his grandmother did not get along that well, but the teen felt that both had similar personalities when it came to certain things, both could be abrasive and very impatient while pushing for what they wanted. Nor could either of them seemingly sit still, they were always working on something after all. Not that he would ever say that to either of them since he didn't want to risk their ire and valued his life.
Valerian's cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the comment, the teen glancing away towards the kettle which was conveniently steaming at this point. "I suppose that is true." He admitted before gesturing towards the kettle. "I'll grab tea first and be right back." Of course he would miss Zadia! She was family and someone with an interest in things that fascinated him. Out of all his aunts and uncles it would probably be fair to say that she was the one he felt the most connected with, not that he would openly admit to such a thing. So while he waited for his cheeks to cool the teen quickly fixed up two cups of tea, grabbing some spare clean mugs that had been left on a small table, and after stirring in some chamomile and other herbs he finally returned to hand a cup to Zadia. "Here." He settled down next to her, his hands wrapped tightly around his own mug after handing over the other one. "Also, if you need to close your eyes after I'll watch over you." He promised with a firm nod. "I can wake you up if they call for you."
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Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2023 12:06 pm
[10]
Zadia accepted the tea gratefully and settled back onto the driftwood. Now with Valerian by her side, a warm steaming mug in hand, and shawl around her shoulder the chill didn't bite as much. She sipped her tea in silence to give her mind a break and when the warmth spread throughout her limbs the hybrid couldn't help the contented sigh that slipped out.
Somewhere along the line she'd scooted a little closer to him and with her cup half drunk, Zadia laid her head on Valerian's shoulder. She murmured something incomprehensible before closing her eyes and taking the chance to nap.
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Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2023 2:52 pm
And there it was. Valerian's expression softened, the teen thankful that he could help Zadia get some much needed rest in the moment. He was still worried about the rest of his family, but even he knew that the best he could do for now was offer comfort and support. It was a waiting game to see how his uncle recovered and to see if his grandmother would be found, panic would do nothing to change the outcome and would only stress them out more. So he carefully plucked the mug from Zadia's hands and placed it next to them, settling in so that he could support her while she slept. Once the healers came back around with an update he would gently shake her awake and they could visit Isaia together to see what aid they could offer next.
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