She nods as she steps back outside and leans against the building as she takes a few breaths, "Could you just let Mr. Hadrinn know that I'll need to talk to him maybe tomorrow or something at some point? I was just wondering, do you know if the school was open today?"
Whew, this is certainly a heavy one. He thought as managed to get the cauldron into place.
"I don't believe in chance or just dumb luck. Sarenrae didn't have to save you, but she did. I believe she knows what she's doing even if we don't understand it all the time. I trust her because...she's never given me reason not to. I'm not trying to give you a guilt trip, just trying to explain how I see things. Sarenrae told me to have faith and that I'd see my brother again...so I believe her and I'll stop worrying about it. Won't stop me from thinking about him, or dreaming about him and my other family....but I trust that when she says something will happen, it'll happen. I know I may seem incredibly naive to you....but I believe in people. I believe in the best in everyone until they give me reason not to. I'd rather be a fool and believe in people than be filled with doubt and suspicion all the time." She says as she looks down into her cup.
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Finishing her milk and cookie Celine, who had been paying rapt attention to the whole thing, quietly gets down out of her seat and goes to Mirrin. Putting one of her small hands on her leg, she uses the fingers of the other to trace the patterns of the markings on her arm, "Pretty." She says before looking up at Mirrin's face and giving her a smile.
Arista smiles as she looks down into her cup, "Yes Celine, Mirrin is pretty."
Nyder shakes his head. "Most place have been closed today."
---
Mirrin shrugs. "Maybe you're overthinking who I am."
Once everyone has had enough to eat and drink, Tesia starts gathering up dishes and cups and takes them to the kitchen. She wraps up whatever is left over of the sandwiches and stores them in the cold box. She finishes off the last few fried potatoes before setting all the dirty dishes in the sink, "Rhy my love, could you do that thing that gets stuff clean really fast? I'll go wipe down the table and then we can head over to find Fae and ask her about going with us to the caves?" She asks as she looks from Rhy to Sadhana.
"Of course honey." Rhadaya says, making a small gesture as a little dust devil, the sweeps around the dishes and everything else, picking up any little particles of food as tiny flashes of lightning within vaporize them, leaving everything completely spotless.
She nods, "Thank you Nyder again for your help. The practice shows, lifting that doe by myself probably woulda killed my back. I must stink to high heaven I'm sure. I'll see you later." She gives him a wave and heads towards Dillon's house.
Crouching down she jumps up into Mirrin's lap and puts her hands on her face. Peering into her eyes she shakes her head, "Nope, pretty."
Arista covers her mouth to stifle a laugh before regaining control of herself, "Celine...we do not jump on people. What do you say?" Looking at Mirrin she says, "I'm sorry...she's so fast now, it's like I never know what she's gonna do."
She sticks out her lower lip and it trembles slightly, "Sowrry Mirrin."
Arista's mouth pops open in surprise. It was rare for Celine to get someone's name right so quickly. She had been having trouble with some sounds so she didn't expect her to get Mirrin's name right so quickly. Trying to recover she shakes her head and sighs.
"Thank you, both of you." Sadhana says to Majestria and Ammon, looking each of them in the eye. "Every bit of help we can get matters and as I'm sure you're aware after yesterday, there is quite a lot at stake with the level of threats we can sometimes find ourselves dealing with."
Giving her wife a brief but loving kiss she says, "Thank you love, we can put everything away later. Charity, we gotta go check something out at the caves but we shouldn't be back too late. I put the leftovers in the fridge if you want some later okay?" She says looking at Sadhana and the others, "Alright, I guess we're ready whenever the rest of you are."
"I think I should probably armor up for this just to be safe." Celia says considering what they could be headed into. She was eager to see what had come of the Anizari enclave, and determine what it could mean for those who followed the true path. If there were survivors it could be an opportunity for a reunification.
Charity nods and heads upstairs. "I'm going to take a nap. I got a little too cold out there."
"And what do you suppose I could be here?" Mirrin asks. "Just because I was saved by Sarenrae, as you claim, doesn't mean I'm just going to be a new person."
Without hesitation she says, "Anything you want to be. I don't expect you to become a new person...the things you've gone through have shaped the person that you've become and I don't think there's anything wrong with that." She pauses for a moment, "You said something before about magic not being the answer to everything and you're right. Celine was underdeveloped when she first came to us. Apparently she had been a sickly baby and child and had some problems with the muscles in her legs. When I went to Michael about it, I could have had him use magic to fix them...but that wouldn't have taught her anything. So...he made some braces for her legs and after some time her legs became stronger and now they are at a point in their development where she no longer needs the braces, and she's more independent and feels proud of what she did. Don't you baby?" Giving Mirrin a small smile she says, "I'm really sorry for whatever you went through in the past....but it's in the past. This is now and you can do anything you want here. Open a business....write, read, paint....do whatever it is that makes you feel good about you. There are no limits here Mirrin...except those you put on yourself."
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She nods enthusiastically while maintaining her hold on Mirrin. While facing her she stares intently at her as she takes her hands away from her face and bends her arms like she's making muscles, "I big, I strong." Bringing her face a little closer to Mirrin's she puts her small hands back on her cheeks, "You strong too."
She smiles, "Kids don't lie. What do you want to do Mirrin? Is there anything you have wanted to do and never got the chance? This town has lots and lots of needs and it doesn't all revolve around magic. There are children in this town and Priroda who aren't magic and need to be in school learning the basics, we have elderly and sick that need taking care of, there's a whole laundry list of things that are wide open if someone wants to do them. Or just take some time for yourself. When was the last time you ever did anything just for yourself?"
She nods, "Yeah...I think we should all be prepared. Let me get my armor on real quick and grab our stuff and then we can go once everyone is all geared up. Did you wanna get your stuff and meet us at Cyna's? I'm not sure if Fae is with them or their folks." She asks as she looks at Sahana, Celia, and Ylrhea.
Ylrhea nods. "Hope the caves are warmer than it is outside."
"Yeah we'll meet you there. I think Sienna said something about them being with their parents. Giving the soon-to-be-weds a little family time." Sādhanā says with a smile as they get ready to head back to her and Ylrhea's house.
"I've never done anything for myself," Mirrin answers. "I'm not a people person. My life ended when that giant broke my mask..."
She gives a bitter laugh. "No...not even that was mine. It's just better if I leave and let my life run the rest of its course. There isn't a place for me anywhere."
She nods, "Okay, are Ammon and Magestreia going with you guys, or are they gonna go with us? I wasn't sure if Ammon had anything else he needed to get before we leave or not." She says as she looks up the stairs after Charity. She hoped that being out in the cold hadn't gotten her sick.
She shakes her head as she gets a sad expression on her face, "Oh....I'm sorry you feel that way....but you're wrong and you will always have a place here if you ever change your mind. Wherever you end up I hope you're able to find some kind of peace. Here, let me give you something before you go." Getting up she goes and fetches their satchel. Taking out 30 platinum pieces she puts them in a smaller pouch and gives it to her, "I hope that helps get you wherever you want to go. Just know you can always come back." She picks Celine up off of her lap and sets her down. "I'm sorry Mirrin, I really am." She waits until Mirrin stands and gives her a brief hug because she can.
"If there's anything you need to get or do, we can meet you at the common house, or you can choose to come with us or go with Tesia and Rhadaya." the magus states to Ammon.
Looking over to Majestria she asks, "s it safe to assume you're carrying anything to traveled with at the moment?"
"I do need to stop by the common house to grab the rest of my gear. But I do not know where this Cyna lives, so....perhaps I should stay with Tesia and," He slowed his speech to carefully pronounce, "Rhadaya, am I saying that right?"
"Yes that's fine." Rhadaya replies with a small smile. Most people didn't roll the 'r' in her name, but she figured that his feline nature probably made that the most natural sound for him.
She nods, "That sounds fine. We'll go up and get our stuff, then we'll go with you to the common house to get your stuff, and then you can go with us to Cyna and Sienna's place and meet everyone there. Sound good?" She asks while looking around.
Getting to Dillon's house she pauses at the door to take a deep breath before knocking.
Dillon opens the door. "Oh, hello, Rajni. You too, Shamara."
He smiles as he sees Rajni in all her muddy glory and waves a hand to clean both her and her animal companion. "What brings you by?"
"Keep your money," Mirrin says, handing the pouch back to Arista after adding what she had left from last night. "I don't need it where I'm going."
She turns and leaves.
"I'm light on belongings," Magestreia answers. "I'll just accompany you."
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He withdraws from her and rolls to his side, holding her close.
"Okay, if you have questions about anything feel free to ask." Sādhanā replies, pulling up her hood and leading the way to their home.
Trying not to sound as upset as she felt she steps up to him and puts her arms around him, "I...I just needed to see you and talk to you."
She sighs as she takes the money back from her and watches her leave. There was no point in trying to say anything else, Mirrin had already decided that she wasn't worth anything....for right now anyways. Who knows what would happen further down the road. She just prayed that Mirrin would somehow be able to find some kind of peace, wherever she ended up. After putting the money back she goes and picks up Celine, "I know a certain little girl that needs a bath. Come on sweetie, let's get you cleaned up." Giving her daughter a hug she takes her in the bathroom and draws up a bath for her. She lets Celine play in the water and soapy bubbles for a while before actually making sure she gets clean and gently washing her hair, rinsing the soap out so that it doesn't get in her eyes. Finally she gets her out of the tub and dries her off, making sure that none of her hair is damp. The last thing she wanted was for Celine to get sick. Taking her back to her room she changes her into some warm play clothes and lets her play in her room while she goes to take her own bath, without falling asleep in the tub this time.
Giving Rhy a smile she says, "If you come up and help me with my armor love, I can get ready much quicker. I think there's a few things upstairs you need to grab for yourself as well right?" She says as starts heading up the stairs to their room. Looking down stairs she says, "We'll be back down as fast as we can and then we'll go with you to get your stuff."
Magestreia follows behind Sadhana, Celia and Ylrhea. "Not much I can think of at the moment."
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"I'm sure you'll think of something eventually," Ylrhea comments before whispering to Sadhana. "You might want to mention the little...change that'll happen in a few weeks."
Dillon embraces Rajni. "Is everything alright?"
Mirrin passes by Sadhana and her entourage. Her eyes move to Magestreia for a moment. She shakes her head and continues to the docks.
Stepping inside she reaches back and closes the door once she and Shamara are inside. In his arms she shakes her head as she fights back tears.
"Talk to me," Dillon says softly.
Wiping her face she nods, "I...I went home to talk to them about our wedding...and...and mama asked me if I was crazy. She wanted to know why all the stuff I cared about before suddenly didn't matter anymore and why I was rushing into getting married. I tried to explain it to her...but then she tried to make it about Juhi and wanted to know if I would still train her....I told her that aside from you that Juhi was my top priority....but it was like she wasn't even hearing me. I just....I don't know Dillon...I don't know how to make them understand. No one else said anything while mama just made me feel like my feelings were stupid and didn't even matter." She lets go of him and goes to the couch and sits down heavily. Choking back a sob she says, "She asked me what I wanted them to say and I was hurt and upset and told her I didn't know but anything other than I was crazy. They tell me I'm an adult and that I can make my own decisions...but then they treat me like they think I'm stupid or something. I just...I couldn't deal with it and told her that I had to take Shamara hunting and would give her time to figure out if my happiness actually meant anything to her or not and then I just...I called Shamara down from upstairs, grabbed my stuff, and got the hells out of there. That was a little over three hours ago and now I'm wondering if...if I want to go back at all. I just...I don't know if I can go back to a place where I'm treated like an idiot." She says as her voice breaks and tears stream down her face. She puts her head in her hands, "I don't know...I don't know what to do. They're my family and I love them....but it really hurt and I don't want to feel like they're looking at me like I'm stupid for the next few weeks until we get married. What am I supposed to do?"
"They don't think you're stupid," Dillon says, sitting next to Rajni. "They're worried about you and they're worried that we might be moving a little too fast. Some people have a hard time expressing concern. You know that Asha and Priya have been busy with all the weddings that are going on. I'm sure they still love you but have a hard time expressing that through the stress."