and I tried to remember how nice it had been
"So they invited you personally," Vai confirms with a kind smile. "Unprompted. And you are still finding reasons to think that they don't want you." Leaning in to kiss her forehead, she gives her cheek a gentle pinch as if that might help to snap her out of her spiralling. "With respect, sweetie," she whispers, "they are grown men. They've done their own fair share of changing and abandoning these past few years, so stop treating them like children and go and say hello."
Speaking of children, perhaps Ashetta can go and find their hosts once she's officially given her introduction to Theea, and Vai's smile warms again. "I have no doubt that I will," she says. "I can't wait to meet her." Squeezing her again and tilting her head to rest it atop her daughter's, they stay there, just like that, for as long as Ashe needs it. Longer still, even, because Vai needs it too.
"We've all of us been stronger than we ever should have been," she points out softly. "And in my experience, it's made us into incredible people. So I don't think you have anything to worry about, with Theea." Kissing her crown, she draws back enough to meet her daughter's gaze and smiles.
"Oh, I have no doubt. You'd never abide complete misery," she says, giving Ashe a gentle nudge. "I bet she's been told all sorts of stories about everyone. And I imagine you took her on so many adventures. I'm glad, though, that she's able to meet her extended family."
Speaking of children, perhaps Ashetta can go and find their hosts once she's officially given her introduction to Theea, and Vai's smile warms again. "I have no doubt that I will," she says. "I can't wait to meet her." Squeezing her again and tilting her head to rest it atop her daughter's, they stay there, just like that, for as long as Ashe needs it. Longer still, even, because Vai needs it too.
"We've all of us been stronger than we ever should have been," she points out softly. "And in my experience, it's made us into incredible people. So I don't think you have anything to worry about, with Theea." Kissing her crown, she draws back enough to meet her daughter's gaze and smiles.
"Oh, I have no doubt. You'd never abide complete misery," she says, giving Ashe a gentle nudge. "I bet she's been told all sorts of stories about everyone. And I imagine you took her on so many adventures. I'm glad, though, that she's able to meet her extended family."
a long long time ago
Vervain
