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 Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 9:16 pm
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 10:10 pm
 Dawn broke quiet and gentle over the meadow, dripping soft-shades of color over the slow-moving brook. Lazy golden light slowly climbed up the protective curtain of a weeping willow, soaking the tree in soft sunlight. Safe behind the soft-green curtain, an indigo mare shifted slightly, drifting awake in the post-dawn light. Lifting her head, Whistle glanced around, then curled more closely around the white basket at her side. At some perceived disturbance, she pressed even closer, making low, soothing sounds as she resettled herself.
The lack of her mate's presence was not at all alarming, though she was faintly annoyed that he couldn't forgo his morning run. Still, with the presence of light flowing into their home glade and now lighting the willow tree, she was fairly sure he wasn't far off. And she certainly wouldn't sleep now, with morning newly-arrived and her mate still wandering.
"What are we going to do about your Papa, Little One?" She murmured, resting her chin on the basket with a soft sigh. "It seems he has not learned a thing. Well, perhaps you will help me teach him, hmm? It will be nice to have someone on my side. As it stands, your big brother Kel is more like your Papa than any of us would care to admit..."
Giving a soft laugh, she lifted her chin off the basket and gave a faint shake of her head. "Nevermind that, Little One. Such are stories for another time... So then, what tales should I spin for you today, hmm?"
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 10:26 pm
 Ballad flipped his ears and snapped his tail, tension still running through him in spite of the fact that he took his usual early-morning run with even more energy than usual. He had even stopped by to see Kel and his family, doting over his still-drowsing grand-foals. However, the family visit was hardly as soothing as he would have hoped, since while he was there he had learned of Arioso's near brush with death. Thankfully, the sunset-colored colt apparently had quite a resourceful and fierce new friend. That at least was reassuring to hear.
Still, in spite of the fact that his grandson was well and was able to have a reassuring conversation with his son, he still fretted and brooded his way through most of the return journey to his new home. Before he had even realized it dawn had broken, sunlight cresting over the mountains and spilling down over him. And if there was light here, it had already reached the grove, and it was very likely his lady love was awake.
"Whistle." He murmured, head lifting and ears pitching forward. Worry spiked, an acknowledgement of his new foal's current fragility and the potential danger in leaving his mate alone. "The baby..."
With a soft snort the stallion threw himself into a gallop, moving back toward his home as swiftly as he could. "I'll be home soon, Dear Ones."
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Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2015 2:16 pm
Seriav blinked open her eyes, stretching her legs just a little in the confines of her basket. This wasn't the first time she'd opened her eyes, but it was the first time she didn't immediately want to go back to sleep. Filled with an energy she had never felt before, she wanted to get up, to see if her legs would hold her, if she could run. She wanted to see who it was who spoke to her while she slept, who sang to her. It was a strange desire, again, something that she wasn't familiar with. But something that she was more than willing to explore.
Lifting herhead up she bumped it against the lid of her basket, dislodging it so that it moved slightly, just enough to let some light into hr world. She blinked one, shying back a little, trying to figure out how to see with something so bright poking at her eyes. It didn't take long for her to adjust, though, and then Ser could see that there was an outside, softly rustling green things and light. So much light. She stuck her nose up, sniffing the edge of her basket and accidentally pushing her nose through, making the top fall off and land on the ground.
Seriav blinked a few times, getting her barings. She sat up, lifting her head out of the basket and looking around. The first thing she saw was.... purple. So she looked up. She was struck with how pretty she was, purple and white and... "Mommy?" She thought that was the word. It should be right, it felt right. She noticed the markings, glowing white, then looked down at herself, seeing some that were the same, but they were black, outlined in purple. It was different but the same.
It made her feel safe, for some reason, those marking, that mare.
Seriav nosed at her Mommy's side gently, just one little touch. Then she wickered and tried to stand, legs too long for the basket she was sitting in. Stretching them out felt soooo good, she tried to do more, to step forward to... tumble over the edge of the basket and land on her side.
Snorting a laugh, she rolled so her legs were under her again, trying to stand after a second. Ser managed to get her feet under her this time, though her legs shook a bit. She felt so tall!
Laughing happily, she turned around to face her mother, wobbling over to touch her nose to hers. Listening to the rustling of the... green things, she leaned forward a bit, letting her weight rest against her mother's for a bit. Standing was tiring! "Hi." She murmured sofly, smiling like the sunlight.
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 3:24 pm
With the day so clearly present and sleep far behind, Whistle drew herself to her hooves and shook herself from nose to tail. She stretched slightly, working her muscles after a long evening's rest, and gave the basket an affectionate nudge. "I am still here little one, but it is day break now so the time for my sleeping is over. Still, I think we might be able to get to our good-morning story before your Papa appears from his run. How does that sound?"
Though she did not expect an answer, the indigo mare picked up a soft, whispering tone of gentle musing as she considered which tales to share with her foal. She had talked in a similar way with all of her children, familiarizing them with her voice and passing on important lessons in the form of stories. It seemed a relatively simple but effective tool, letting them know about their family and their homeland and their new surroundings before they even opened their eyes.
So Whistle spoke and sang to her dearlings while she waited for them to awaken to the world. For whatever reason they tended to favor storms or evening, as if avoiding the sun for as long as possible. Which of course made things all the more surprising when the basket abruptly lost its lid and an inquisitive head appeared with wide, glowing eyes. 'Mommy?'
Whistle gave a soft laugh, craning her head down to brush her muzzle over the filly's face, ruffling the dark strands of her forelock before withdrawing. "Indeed, Little One... Yes."
She probably wouldn't stop smiling for days, but gave an affectionate whicker at the nuzzle and drifted back just enough to give the filly room to free herself from the basket and stand. Of course, as she stretched and stood and tried to step, she tumbled over herself.
"Careful, Little One." Whistle murmured, relieved that laughter was the filly's response. Her brothers had been most sulky indeed when they fell, overreacting and pouting for far too long afterwards. "You'll get it, up you go now."
Watching white legs stretch and brace, Whistle felt pride grow in her chest like wild music. Her daughter was whole and healthy and here, her horn shining with a curious dark light and swan-white wings visible even where she was curled in her basket. Her coloring was practically inverted, the opposite of her family's pattern, and the faint reminder of her older daughter made Whistle shake her head faintly. Hopefully Seriav would be less stressful, but she rather doubted it. Fayth had restless hooves and loud-speaking hearts, and they follow both at the risk of their parents' sanity.
Still, that was a worry for another time. For now there was only the fierce rush of joy in seeing her daughter stand and turn to face her. She returned the nuzzle and then happily acted as a brace for the little white foal, drinking in the soft smile her daughter gave her.
"Hello, Seriav." She murmured, craning her head down to nose at her filly's cheek. "Welcome to the world."
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 3:57 pm
Ballad traversed the path to their home with steady-beating strides. The last leg of the journey he took slowly, wading to wash away the sweat from his run and trotting or walking to relax his muscles without risking a sprain. By the time he reached home he was cool and dry, and just in time to see the lid sent skittering by the filly who had -until now- been sleeping peacefully in her basket.
Not so any longer, it seemed.
Pushing aside his worry about his grandson, the new friend that had saved his grandson, the issue with his other son being the one to endanger the grandson in the first place, and the troubling question of just how exactly he was going to explain all of this to his mate, Ballad stopped and stared. The joy on his mate's face was incandescent as she greeted their daughter, her eyes gleaming brightly all the while. The filly had a unicorn horn, not all that surprising considering how strongly the trait ran in his family. Though as she emerged and he saw true wings rather than mere markings, Ballad made a low sound of surprise.
Wings and healing, hmm? Fate had a plan for this child, of that much he was sure.
Watching her find her hooves was endearing, and the way she leaned against her mother tugged at his heart. With a smile Ballad drifted forward, wanting to be closer to his family. "Well, look who decided to join us... And so early in the day too."
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2015 7:21 pm
Seriav picked up one foot and took a wobbling step toward her mother, smiling. The world. That sounded nice. Sounded like something that needed to explored. Was the world what was on the other side of the green veil thing that stood between them and the light? Nosing at her mother, she grinned, liking the feel of being close to her.
She looked up at the sudden light and at the blue other that she was... looking at. Ser blinked a few times. He had the same markings as her! White, like her mothers, instead of the black that she bore, but still! Maybe he was... He was her Daddy? Flaring her wings to help keep her balance, she took a step toward him, eyes wide and glowing softly.
"Is it early?" She asked, blinking up at him. "Hi. Are you my Daddy?" She asked, wiggling her tail back and forth. Ser got distracted for a second, feet skidding on the soft earth, almost sending her sprawling. But she regained her footing slowly. "Hee."
Ser started to giggle, dancing around on the ground, getting used to her feet and her... music? There was music. She didn't know what music was, not really, but she knew it was. That was all that was important. It was deep, violent, intoxicating. It was like waves slamming against the rocks, lightning darting along the clouds, wind howling through rocks, and other things that Seriav didn't understand. The dripping of something thicker than water. Something else. A lot of something else, darker, under the surface. Beautiful. She opened her mouth, the notes spilling out into the briefest of songs before there was a dark light at the edge of her vision, and the sounds were strangled in her throat.
Her markings stayed lit from within for a moment, then went out. Ser blinked a few times, fluffing her wings out in surprise, the music still running under her skin, filling her lungs, but when she opened her mouth, no sound came out, not a song, not a whisper. Just... silence. She tried to say something, but the same results. No sound. So, no song, no talking, just... silence. Seriav shook her head, mane going wild over her neck.
It wasn't... wrong. It didn't hurt, or feel bad. It just was. Something that was right, even. And she didn't understand it, not really, but she knew knew that if she had continued singing, some part of that song, that Dark song that thrummed through her, would have spilled out into the real world, and part of it scared her. Shaking it off, she felt herself standing in the light, the warmth of it, how close her family was. That Dark sound didn't belong here.
Pouting for a moment, she wobbled up to her father and reached up to try to nose him like her mother nuzzled her.
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Posted: Fri May 29, 2015 9:32 pm
"Careful now." Whistle murmured at the steps, giving an encouraging smile as the filly tumbled and then righted herself. "They're a little awkward, but you'll get used to them quickly."
Indeed, she had no doubt of that. Even with the extra weight and obstacle of having wings to mind, Whistle was sure the filly would be off galloping in no time at all. Most foals seemed to do just that, with no regard to how their poor mother's hearts leapt as they watched.
Still, Whistle was not one to hover, preferring a free spirit in her children. Nevertheless, she curled close around her daughter when the filly made it to her side, making a low sound of approval. She covered the motion in weeping nuzzles and an affectionate lip to Seriav's cheek, making a low sound of pride at those first few awkward steps. What a joy she was, this tiny white foal. All legs and wings and sunshine bright smile, Whistle could not help but smile back, her glowing eyes bright with love.
This melody would not be stolen from the world, she would not allow it.
She lifted her head and smiled in welcome at the arrival of her mate, pleased he had arrived at just the right time. Then again, it appeared to be a skill of Ballad's, appearing precisely when she needed him to.
"And here I was beginning to worry that you had gotten lost and would have missed it. Well, that serves me right I suppose." She teased him lovingly. "Welcome back, Beloved."
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Posted: Fri May 29, 2015 9:53 pm
Ballad felt his smile widen as he watched the filly grin up at her mother, then notice his arrival. She was sharp, this little one. Her eyes glowing bright and clear for all to see. Soft purple light, like nothing he'd seen before, but familiar all the same. A Fayth child, whole and well and on her hooves. If nothing else, he was thankful to every star that watched over them for that.
"Early by your mother's reckoning." He teased gently as he drifted closer. "Perfectly respectable by my own. But then, I am up well before dawn, and you seem like you might follow my example in this."
He gave his mate a humor-filled glance. "Do not worry, if that is the case she and I will entertain ourselves and you may sleep until after First Light."
Ballad would not mind at all the opportunity to take his daughter up to one of the lower plateaus to watch the sun kiss the world. He rather imagined she would enjoy it, and the concept of being high up, until she found the strength to use her wings. Then? Well hopefully Fate would be kind and send him his son by then, so there would be someone with wings to keep an eye on her.
"Miss it?" He challenged his mate with a grin. "I am wounded you doubted me, heart of my heart."
"Hi." He grinned as she stood before him, leaning down enough to puff a fond breath over her forelock and mane. "I am indeed. And that makes you my baby, which makes me twice-blessed on this fine morning."
He watched her slide and recover with pride aglow in his heart, grinning when she giggled and danced. So then, she could hear it, or feel it, just like they could. That was good. He wasn't sure if a day would come when one would be born of their line that did not know of the music in their blood.... Did not recognize it, feel it, hear it every moment...
But that was a worry for another time, for it certainly did not apply to Seriav. While there was a wild frenzy to her music, and electric air to it that spoke of incandescent light and potential damage, there was a deep roll like thunder that was familiar and slightly worrying. Of course, he had presented in much a similar way, without the joy or the sweet innocence that Seriav possessed. Still, it was similar. Worrying.
The song she uttered caught at his heart, made his ears flip forward and everything else in him freeze, like being caught before a great serpent. A hypnotic, dangerous moment. Alarming and compelling and suddenly over.
Sharply, violently over.
"Seriav?" He murmured, still gentle and soothing as he craned his head down. "Are you well, Sweetling?"
When she reached up for him he could not help but grin, craning his head down to skate his muzzle over hers, before nosing her cheek, whuffling at her forelock, tickling along the crest of her neck and nudging the curve of one wing. Glancing at his mate in confusion and something like worry, Ballad stepped close and then twined around the filly, affectionately circling to brush her sides with his own, then dropped his head to nose at her again.
"There's my little Morning Glory."
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Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:42 pm
Seriav smiled brightly, raising one leg up, then putting it back down, stretching out the muscles that had so long been confined. It felt good, made her feel stronger, like she could run forever. Not that she would, or had any idea where she would go, but she felt like she could. Ser fluffed out her wings a bit, marveling at them, at the soft white feathers that faded into a purple like her mother's. Neither of her parents had wings, though. Part of her wondered why she was different, but she didn't put much thought into it. Wings, no wings, different colors. It didn't seem to matter. They were family, after all. That's what family meant, right?
Moving without much noise, only the sound of her breathing and her hooves, Ser moved around the small space that was their... den? Home? What was this place? She couldn't voice the question, so she tilted her head a little, nodding toward the room that they were in, trying to ask without asking. Huffing out a little breath, she moved from one foot to another. It was going to be hard, to speak without speaking. They would have to figure out a way to communicate. Until then, she would manage. It would be like a game. Those were supposed to be fun, yeah?
Nodding at her father's assessment of her liking to be awake early, she grinned, wondering what exactly they would do in the early morning, before the sun came up. It would be fun to find out.
With an amused sort of sound, she reached up and nosed the side of his neck, which was about all she could reach. Twice-blessed, huh? Did that make her... triple-blessed? Was that a thing? She felt like maybe it was. Here, shaded from the morning sun, with her parents, two of them, even, she felt warm, overflowing with things she couldn't put a name too, Loved, maybe that was is. Either way, she liked it. Triple-blessed.
She could still hear the music, dipping, flowing, changing all the time. It wrapped around them light a soft coat, peaceful where it touched her parents. A bit more chaotic where it wrapped around her. There were other points to the music, far away distant sounds that faded quickly, leaving her with their song.
So, she could still hear it, just not make it. It was strange. Nodding at her father's question, she couldn't help but smile. Even if she couldn't speak, or sing, she still had the music. Ser leaned into him, wondering what he was thinking now. She didn't miss the look he threw at Mother. And it wasn't like she could explain, not really.
There was a lot she didn't understand. This was one of those things. All she knew was that she couldn't make sound anymore. But she wouldn't let that stop her. There was nothing that could do that.
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2016 7:35 pm
Whistle smiled fondly as she watched her daughter and mate interact, her heart twisting slightly in her chest. It had been far too long since she'd watched her beloved mate dote on children, particularly children of their own. Ballad had always loved foals, been so proud and affectionate as a father. Some of that stemmed from his past, from having experienced a family that was, less than ideal... Less than loving. But the majority of it was merely her mate's spirit, and she loved him all the more for it.
"I am so glad you are volunteering for something so suited to your skills." She returned with a playful smile. "This renders my having to ask obsolete. Delightful."
"I live to serve you, my fairest lady." The dusk-blue stallion retorted with a wink, pleased his mate was in such good spirits and joyous indeed at the arrival of his daughter.
For all that her song had gone discordant and her voice suddenly vanished, Ballad could not bring himself to consider her less than perfect. Still, while he and his mate spoke he could see a dozen questions racing behind Seriav's eyes, and various expressions flickered across her face. Her thoughts sprinted in directions he could not yet guess at, for she was still new to him. And if indeed she could not speak, what was to be done?
Sudden inspiration struck, and Ballad shot his mate a playful look before craning his head down to his daughter's height. "Hey Morning Glory, come over here a minute. What do you say you and I go on an adventure, right now, hmm? This here is only a small part of our home after all, and I think an exploration is in order. You need to see the sky and the trees and the flowers, and I know some friends that would be delighted to meet you. What do you think of that?"
Whistle tilted her head thoughtfully at her mate's playful look, though understanding dawned as she listened to him speak to their daughter. Of course, the hummingbird and songbird that were their dearest friends nested in the trees nearby, and not long ago the pair had welcomed young of their own. Whistle was fairly sure they'd still be in the nest at this time of day, so leaving Ballad to talk their daughter into the trip she started out to speak to them.
"Aria?"
At Whistle's gentle call, the songbird that was her familiar peeked out of her nest. The appearance of the indigo mare, cyan eyes nearly incandescent with joy, told her all she needed to know. With a joyous trill Aria dove from her nest, fluttering happy circles around Whistle.
"So then, she's arrived?" Aria sang, grinning wide as she flared her tailfeathers. "Where? Come now, Whistle? Wherewherewhere! I sang to her basket the same as you, I am sure she'll be delightful. Don't tell me we have to wait to meet her?"
"Good day to you, my friend." Whistle laughed, huffing at the feathers that stroked her face and ears as the bird's enthusiastic circles continued. "She'll be along in a moment, talking with her father. Well, not talking per say, which is why I wanted to speak with you. One of your nestlings is still at home, is he not? We might have need of his help...."
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2017 1:42 pm
Seriav watched the interactions between her father and mother, only half paying attention. There was just so much to see and hear! And taste. She managed not to fall over on her shaking legs, snapping her teeth at a leaf, then spitting it out with an exaggerated disgusted sort of face.
Morning Glory. She liked that. She know it wasn't her name, but it had the same sort of sound when he said it, like it could be her name, save for the fact that it wasn't. Her eyes lit up, soft lavender glowing in excitement. Adventure! She tried to nod her head and jump up and down at the same time. Of course, she ended up on her rump in the dirt, a little dizzy and unsure how she actually got there. Still, adventure! She scrambled back to her feet, looking up at Ballad like he hung the sun. A bit more controlled this time, she nodded and took a few hesitant steps toward what she thought was the entrance, stopping to look back as her Mother moved to speak to something, but that idea of outside! Adventure! took over her thoughts, and she took a couple of bounding steps, not keen to wait for her father, though sure he would be right there if she needed him.
With a wide grin and bright eyes, she stepped into the sun. It was so bright at first, it burned, making her take a few wobbly steps forward, eyes squinting against the glare. She could make out shadows that had to be... things? The sky and trees and flowers that Ballad spoke of. Shaking her head, she forced her eyes open a bit more, letting some of the world come into focus.
Her breath caught in her throat, a song that would have expressed how beautiful the sight before her ways, but the markings along her neck glowed faintly, keeping her firmly silent. Ser didn't fret about it, though. It was the way things were, and she fine with that.
So, instead of singing, she danced. Well, it probably looked like she was running around with no destination in mind, kicking up her hooves and rearing back to press her nose into a flower that was a bit taller than she was, and sneezing herself into a circle, feet a bit more stable than they were a few second though. Ser spun around, taking in all the things she'd never seen, and didn't know what they were, and felt the world had to be the most beautiful place.
Seriav turned around and looked at her father, her heart in her eyes, showing just how happy she was right then, the pure joy there outshining the natural glow of her eyes. Ser started to nod her head at things, the flower, the tall green things and the big big big blue thing that held the bright thing that hurt to look at. She couldn't actually ask, but she was so asking. She wanted to know everything, see everything.
Vire peeked out of the nest when his mother went to see what her bonded wanted. It was something that Vire wondered about, what it would like to be bonded to a Soquili. Looking at his parents, he knew it to be a great things. He could almost hear what they were saying, but most of it didn't make much sense. But he did understand the last thing the Soquili said. His help? They needed his help?
Vire zipped out, over shot by a few feet, ending up in Whistle's face for a second, before he corrected himself, ended up near his mother.
"I can help?" He squeaked, barely loud enough to be heard over the humming of his wings. The excitement was how fast his heartbeat in his chest, hovering there, waiting for them to tell them what it was he could help with.
Word Count: 506
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Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 3:18 pm
"Out and ready to see the world, i take it?"Ballad chuckled softly at the filly's enthusiasm, pacing along after her as she capered and danced. "Somehow I am not surprised, in that you are much like those that have come before you. Alright then, my dancing flower. First things first. At your feet is grass, and we're fortunate that the fields here are sweet and usually full of wild flowers, so it tastes good and looks nice."
He plucked a flower to serve as an example, and tucked it into her forelock by her ear. "Wear that, it suits you."
He took a mouthful of grass, chewing as they walked further into the field and swallowing before canting his head upward. "The endless blue overhead is the sky, you'll see it changes color with the weather and as the day stretches on. And we'll teach you to read that as well as the winds, never you fear."
Nodding first to the arching oaks and the willows that were scattered across the area, then the nearby stream that flowed among the willows. "If you get too warm, the shade from the trees is suitable, though we'll take you wading later in the stream if you feel up to it. I think you'll find new and exciting ways to entertain yourself, your siblings always do."
Confident that Ballad would keep their daughter out of trouble, Whistle turned her attention to the birds and gave a faint smile at the nestling's enthusiasm. Aria was a long-time friend, and her children were equally likely to be so. So then, if one of them could help Seriav, so much the better.
"She doesn't speak, her song has been silenced." Whistle explained softly to the birds. "Fayth willing, it seems. What their plans are, I cannot hope to guess, and I have not yet had the chance to inquire with Ballad. Whatever he knows or even suspects, he is not currently able to share."
The indigo mare shook her head. "Regardless, the matter of Ser is more pressing than any suspicions for the motives of those on high. With her silence, I feel she may need some assistance in communication, and that would be made much smoother if she had a companion who could assist her and serve as a translator. Besides, she is the only daughter we have in this land at the moment, and I would of course prefer that none of my children came to harm. A pair of watchful eyes would be appreciated."
"The poor dear." Aria murmured, fluttering to a nearby branch and perching with a final flutter of her wings. "You know I am always happy to help, my friend... But I am afraid that actions on behalf of the Clan take up much of my time..."
She trailed off, eying her son with a faint sort of amusement. "Of course, Vire is quite helpful and has his father's gift for negotiation when the matter calls for it. He can make some compelling arguments, and with practice is likely to be able to pick up her queues and act as a translator..."
"If this is the case, it would indeed be fortunate and most helpful." Whistle hedged gently, turning her attention to the fledgeling. "Is this true, Vire? And, more importantly, would the task be of interest to you? I know your sister is sometimes exasperated by her charge, and I am sure that would also be the case with my daughter. I think it is important that you meet her before you agree, but if the matter does not sound as though it would be to your strengths or your liking, I understand and we can certainly seek elsewhere."
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