like a black swallowtail butterfly

Maea

The hum of Dygra's traveled from the ground, up her spine and settled in her bones, at once soothing and unsettling. Undoing spots of tightness like no massage ever could, until old anxiety was thoroughly expelled from her body. Maea smiled wistfully. "I had no mother, growing up. Only the borrowed substitute of one, who was happier with her own family than with me. Though I should like to see you as one, I don't actually know what it means. It's not a role I ever strived for either, so perhaps I simply never paid enough attention." Literature and observation described it as a relationship of immense love and care, sometimes complicated by projecting hopes and wishes in one direction or both, a contradiction between support and independence, holding on and letting go – certainly chaotic seeming to one who never saw it first hand.

It had her curious, to see how this relation would come to shape her. If the box she sought had no shape, Maea might have to make her own - or grow enough to be comfortable without borders to confine her. Comforted, she listened carefully to the challenges her dark mother laid out for, finally bowing in acceptance.

"Thank you. I will face them all, and see what I can learn." Lingering for a while until the presence had faded from the room, Maea shot her companion a toothy grin. "This is going to be interesting..." Shii pulsed in agreement, and led the way back towards the door. Its apprehension over meeting the goddess had faded - now they had a bit of a journey to prepare for.


[FIN]

And I am the monster that startles me
in the mirror

Table base by Skylark