That is your choice to make. As much as it is theirs to make their offers.
[ She doesn't near Hayame, not yet. She allows her the space, to feel deflated, to push her forehead to the side, and Akua feels... pain. Sadness. How many times had she railed, and screamed in the dark, the loneliness? How many times had she considered betraying cat, even before she had, in that pivotal moment? Could she ever have persevered in that, and said no? Praesi friendships were different to what people had here. She had seen so many, where respect did not come coupled with a hidden knife, where the promise of loyalty did not come with a caveat.
Even Akua, who was Praesi to her core, felt... a touch lost. She took a step forward, then a second. She reached out, to touch Hayame's hand, reached up to touch it. ]
You do not have to accept it as your standard. If you do not, I will...understand. [ Just like Hayame, few had chosen Akua. She was beautiful, the ideal of Praesi fashion, but there was no blind loyalty, or family, like there had been for Catherine Foundling. She had found her Woe, and Akua was... always would be... separate from that.
The only eternal family she had, was a woman who had tried to kill them all -- and likely had, given where she was, and the likely destruction of her world.
She sighed, and shook her head. ]
I do not wish for you to be alone, in this, Hayame. I want to see you as strong and as proud, to make the lot of them quake before you, with the might of allies behind you. I want you to know who will stand with you, and stand strong in that knowledge.
[ But Hayame was...complex. She was angry, and stern. It was not easy for her, she knew. This world was not the same, and Hayame was... a woman who had seen great tragedy, and cruelty. Mind, Akua had as well, but... ]
More than that, I wish for you to not guess who you can turn to, when you are in need.
no subject
[ She doesn't near Hayame, not yet. She allows her the space, to feel deflated, to push her forehead to the side, and Akua feels... pain. Sadness. How many times had she railed, and screamed in the dark, the loneliness? How many times had she considered betraying cat, even before she had, in that pivotal moment? Could she ever have persevered in that, and said no? Praesi friendships were different to what people had here. She had seen so many, where respect did not come coupled with a hidden knife, where the promise of loyalty did not come with a caveat.
Even Akua, who was Praesi to her core, felt... a touch lost. She took a step forward, then a second. She reached out, to touch Hayame's hand, reached up to touch it. ]
You do not have to accept it as your standard. If you do not, I will...understand. [ Just like Hayame, few had chosen Akua. She was beautiful, the ideal of Praesi fashion, but there was no blind loyalty, or family, like there had been for Catherine Foundling. She had found her Woe, and Akua was... always would be... separate from that.
The only eternal family she had, was a woman who had tried to kill them all -- and likely had, given where she was, and the likely destruction of her world.
She sighed, and shook her head. ]
I do not wish for you to be alone, in this, Hayame. I want to see you as strong and as proud, to make the lot of them quake before you, with the might of allies behind you. I want you to know who will stand with you, and stand strong in that knowledge.
[ But Hayame was...complex. She was angry, and stern. It was not easy for her, she knew. This world was not the same, and Hayame was... a woman who had seen great tragedy, and cruelty. Mind, Akua had as well, but... ]
More than that, I wish for you to not guess who you can turn to, when you are in need.