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 Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2024 5:35 pm
Heike 8 Even if Heike had had an answer prepared, she wouldn't have gotten the chance to make it. As she stood there, thinking about what to say to Mayella's comments, Doesina had spoken up, drawing the older Elaria's attention away. She looked, as well, her mouth slightly twisting at the look of desperation now on her cousin's face. Clearly Doesina, despite her grandmother's treatment of her, still valued her approval and wasn't getting it. It made her respect, or what little she had, for Doesina go down. She would never be intimidated or scared by anyone else. Ever. The very thought of it was so shameful.
"You do not." Mayella walked over to her granddaughter, Heike's eyes now locked on her out of pure curiosity, and squeezed the younger woman's arm. A little too hard by the look of pain on her face. To Doesina's credit, however, she didn't move or even flinch. "Or you would have returned to me better than when you left, not worst." It was clear how much Mayella prized training herself, by the tight muscles of her own biceps and stomach.
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Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2024 6:56 pm
Doesina 9 Why did her grandmother have to be so mean to her? Just because she didn't like training as much as the other Sisters? Because she found it boring and pointless? Why did she need a tough body anyway? It didn't make her any less of an Aishan.
Her mother had always told her that growing up. Even so, two different emotions battled each other inside her head. She loved her grandmother. Really, she did. But sometimes, okay a lot of the time, Doesina wasn't sure if she liked being in the older Elaria's presence. She always felt so aware of her failures when she was. Like she was just some giant disappointment as a Sister and granddaughter. Like the daughter and granddaughter she'd always wanted had been completely out of her grasp, over the vast sea.
"I'm sorry..." was all she could continue to say. Don't cry. Whatever you do or say, do not cry.
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2024 4:31 pm
Heike 9 Should she feel something at watching Doesina get scolded so fiercely? They were blood family, after all. But as Mayella continued to criticize the other Elaria, Heike didn't feel bad for her. Did she even feel embarrassed over being witness to it? After thinking about it for a little bit, she decided no. She didn't even feel embarrassed at being here to see it. Something told her, maybe from spending so much time with the Alkidike in Jauhar, that this wasn't a normal thing, Most would have felt something. Not just stared.
A part of her couldn't help thinking about how much Doesina deserved it. If she'd trained like she was supposed to, like any self-respecting Aishan should, she wouldn't be as humiliated as she looked. All but cowering under the older woman's gaze. Pathetic.
"We are changing this habit of yours," she was continuing, breaking up Heike's thoughts. "Later you will show me how much you have been ignoring your training with a lesson."
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2024 5:12 pm
Doesina 10 Well, this wasn't going quite as expected. Not that she expected a celebration upon her return. Not like what her mother had done, hosting a small party for her with the three of them, including Sini of course. Chrysa had served up cookies she had baked that very day, so they were still warm and soft. The perfect combination with the various flavors of tea she always kept stocked in the cupboard. No, nothing like that would ever happen with Mayella. But Doesina had at least expected a hug. Or a kind word of sentiment. She had been gone for so long, yet her grandmother acted like she had been here just last week. It had been years. It really hurt to hear her speak this way. All she could do was give a sigh, though, and a nod of her head.
"Yes, grandma." Nothing else would satisfy the older Elaria, that she knew. Nothing short of acceptance to whatever she had said.
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2024 5:25 pm
Heike 10 Happy with the answer, Mayella nodded her head back, a small smile almost turning up the corners of her mouth. Almost. Heike got the sense she rarely smiled.
"Good." With a final nod of satisfaction to one granddaughter, she finally turned her attention back to the other one, standing still and quiet. "Now, I would like to get to know the child of my wayward daughter. What has she called you?"
"Heike."
"Mm. Come, Heike. We can talk in my home over tea. Doesina..." Turning back to the younger Elaria, Mayella stepped towards her, raising a hand to lay on her shoulder. "I am glad to see you returned. I look forward to hearing about your first big vovage on your own."
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