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Growth Solo

[ Zayana has the opportunity to meet her grandmothers, learning about the history that split up her family and discovering a little bit more about her own feelings in the process. ]

Zayana asked around for a few days before she got any information, which was strange considering it was a smaller settlement. But eventually someone was willing to offer her the locations of Soyila and Zandaiya. They were off in a private area where some of the matrons rested, the more religious sisters who often prayed and supported Aisha. Upon hearing this, Zayana felt her nerves increase tenfold.

She decided not to bring her daughter to meet her grandparents, mostly to not overwhelm them. They hadn't heard from her mother, and her mother hadn't heard from them. Heck, her mother wasn't even sure if they were still alive. That thought along was what fueled Zayana to meet them, to let them know the truth of where her daughter was and the family they had.

She approached the small area cautiously, and an older woman came out to meet her before she could get anywhere near the homes.

"What business do you have here, Elaria?" She called out gruffly, angry almost. Zayana felt like a youngling, but she was a Warrior, and no matron would shame her. She had been raised around worse, after all.

"I come seeking an audience with Soyila and Zandaiya." She called out, chin raised. The woman tilted her head.

"What business do you have with them?"

"I come bearing news of their daughter, Zandala."

That got the woman's attention even more, and Zayana had a feeling that this woman might actually be one of her grandmothers. The hunch grew when the woman took the time to study her, her markings specifically, and Zayana studied hers in turn.

"Who are you." The words finally came out of the woman, and Zayana felt herself raise her chin yet again with pride.

"I am Zayana, Elarian daughter to Lumikani and Zandala. Blessed with an Elidae bloom by the Great Mother Esena. And I come seeking my grandparents to let them know of their family."

The woman was still, but Zayana noticed her eyes held tears. Were they happy? Angry? It was hard to tell. The woman was stern, Zayana figured as much, but she seemed to soften. Without any words, she waved for her to follow, and follow she did. Other elders looked out from where they sat, eyes staring at the girl who was marched through the small settlement until she reached a home deep in between tree roots. The woman in front of her disappeared behind the cloth door, and Zayana followed without a second thought.

At the door, she left her bow in a sign of respect, before looking up at the other woman before her. She too was older, her hair gray and her eyes faded, but the markings on her were clear. Beautiful flower like markings spread across her face, down her arms, the same that Zandala had, the same that she had, and the same that her daughter had.

This...was her family.

Zayana spent hours with the woman, who in turn listened. Listened to her stories of her mother, of her travels across the sea, of where they stood. Of how, after a long journey, Zandala seemed to settle the same way her parents did - following the faith. Honoring their cause. Not fighting for war or anger, but to protect the world.

When Zayana left late in the evening, guided by another away from the group, she didn't know what to think. The two women didn't really give her much to go by. But they did give her a letter, and a request. To pass it along to Zandala. And pass it on she would.

But the thought of her family being so divided, it made her heart ache. She knew it had happened again and again, and right there she promised she would break this chain. She would always strive to be there for her daughter, to support her and understand her if they had conflict. She adored her parents, and grandparents even, but this was something she needed to ensure would not happen again. And so, under the starts, she made a promise to Aisha that she would always work hard to keep her family together.