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25th of December, 1883 - Novandria

Promise

by Maelie Arsenault

“I never want you to be afraid or alone."
‘Like I was. Like we were.’ She thinks as her mind shifts back to the lonely days in libraries and courts, surrounded by people but feeling horribly alone.
 
“I love you. What should I call you?”
What should Elsinore call her? She stutters it out, unsure how to say the word without the usual note of disdain and the feelings of rejection and chastisement that she’d associated it with her entire adult life.
 
"Maman... if you like."
If that’s what she wants. If that’s what she needs. She’d been dozens of personas through her life as a thief. Convincing, deceptive, always with an eye on the prize. But none of that was helpful here.
 
“Maman. Elvish for mommy? Maman.”
The hopeful tone of the girl’s voice hit home. She was no longer sure who was adopting who as she listens to the young voice test the word, changing its meaning with each syllable.
 
"Oui." She says softly.
It’s all she can manage. She realizes, deep down, she had always wanted to call her aunt, Kallie Beauchamp, that name. Maman, a parent, a person who would be there no matter what, who listened, who fought for you, who protected you, who loved you in a way that had no comparison. She’d waited too long, and Aunt had settled into that space, but deep down she knew.
 
“Maman, then.”
Mae's expression struggles between melting and panic, so instead she just smothers her daughter in a hug. Holding her tightly as she tries to hide her tears.
 
Silently she made a promise to her daughter: ‘I will never betray this. I will never give you reason to be afraid of that word. I promise that when you call that name, I will answer your hope with everything I have to offer my dear daughter.’

Continue reading...

  1. The Last Rule
    November 27th, 1882, - Novandria
  2. The Den
  3. Am I losing?
  4. A Close Call
  5. Plans
  6. New Toys
  7. Mistakes were made
  8. Too close to home
  9. Not like you.
  10. This City is Mine.
    February 6th, 1883
  11. Aimless?
    March 5, 1883 - Novandria
  12. The Game Begins
    February 13th, 1883
  13. Too much like You
    March 13, 1883
  14. Safer in Shadows
    April 3, 1883
  15. New Beginnings
    April 7th, 1883
  16. Ready to Run
    April 17th, 1883
  17. Home
    April 25, 1883
  18. Can you steal a heart?
    May 8th, 1883
  19. Trouble
    11th of May, 1883
  20. Heartbreak
    14th of May, 1883
  21. Hunter or Prey?
    16th of May, 1883
  22. Guilt
    19th of May, 1883
  23. Untrustworthy
    21st of May, 1883
  24. Why am I like this?
    25th of May, 1883
  25. Worthy
    8th of June, 1883
  26. The One She Left Behind
    13th June, 1883
  27. Annnd it's back...
    July 1st, 1883
  28. Learning to Fly
    July 4th, 1883
  29. Thrill of the Hunt
    July 29th, 1883
  30. From the Embers
    21st of August, 1883 // 1867
  31. Mother Knows Best
    16th of September, 1883
  32. A Snake, a Star, and a Fox
    25th of September, 1883, Novandria
  33. It wasn't him.
    28th of September, 1883, Novandria
  34. The New Blade
    13th of September, 1883
  35. Something Good
    October 31, 1883 - Novandria
  36. The wound that won't close
    18th of December, 1883 - Novandria
  37. Promise
    25th of December, 1883 - Novandria
  38. Fallen through the cracks
    6th of January, 1884 - Novandria
  39. Day to Night
    7th of January, 1884
  40. What's Left to the Shadows
    22nd of January, 1884, Novandria
  41. The World without Colour
    18th of February, 1884, Bellancourt, Montaigne,
  42. Seventeen Roofs
    26th of February, Novandria, Eisen
  43. Crossing the Board
    4th of March, 1884, Novandria, Eisen
  44. New Freedom
    May 4th, 1884
  45. Saved
    5th of May, 1884/16th of July, 1858

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