On the surface, the day had been a happy one. Perhaps a little bittersweet, but still happy. It was, after all, both a celebration of life and death. Inala had seen to ensuring that her daughter's birth day was not weighed down with the death of her friend. Of the clan. Everyone. It needed to be a joyous day. One that celebrated what they still had.
It didn't mean, however, that she didn't mourn quietly. That just beneath the surface, she was torn apart. Chi would never see it, though. Of that, Inala was set upon. She'd do everything to make her daughter happy. Having just turned 17, Chi was going to soon be on to great things for the Clan - once she picked her vallaslin. A ritual she, herself, had done not long after she and Chip had joined this clan. It had seemed foreign to her at first, but it simply made sense now. The difference, after all, was semantic. This was merely a permanent fixture. Solid and unchanging.
Unlike the chaos of her life. Or what had been her life before Varahel.
Day had quickly passed into night, and before long, she was braiding her daughter's hair before they'd turn in for sleep. She'd heard someone leaving the camp, though. As silent as the night was, a certain someone was not so quiet as he likely thought he'd been. Footfalls too heavy, weighed down with the pressure of leadership - and memories of the past.
Stifling a sigh, Inala finished plaiting her daughters hair and gave her a kiss atop her head.
Twas not hard to find Chip after she left camp. They stayed along the coast for a reason, after all. Both of them felt the constant pull to the sea. They needed this.
Inala's footfalls were silent as she moved toward the water. She'd spotted her friend with a casual ease.
It didn't mean, however, that she didn't mourn quietly. That just beneath the surface, she was torn apart. Chi would never see it, though. Of that, Inala was set upon. She'd do everything to make her daughter happy. Having just turned 17, Chi was going to soon be on to great things for the Clan - once she picked her vallaslin. A ritual she, herself, had done not long after she and Chip had joined this clan. It had seemed foreign to her at first, but it simply made sense now. The difference, after all, was semantic. This was merely a permanent fixture. Solid and unchanging.
Unlike the chaos of her life. Or what had been her life before Varahel.
Day had quickly passed into night, and before long, she was braiding her daughter's hair before they'd turn in for sleep. She'd heard someone leaving the camp, though. As silent as the night was, a certain someone was not so quiet as he likely thought he'd been. Footfalls too heavy, weighed down with the pressure of leadership - and memories of the past.
Stifling a sigh, Inala finished plaiting her daughters hair and gave her a kiss atop her head.
You're all set, my love. Time to get some rest. We've a big day tomorrow with that hunt I promised.After offering Chi a hug, she was soon to sneak away herself.
Twas not hard to find Chip after she left camp. They stayed along the coast for a reason, after all. Both of them felt the constant pull to the sea. They needed this.
Inala's footfalls were silent as she moved toward the water. She'd spotted her friend with a casual ease.
She's eventually going to start asking questions,Inala said to draw attention to herself. Wading into the water without hesitation, she found a rock that protruded up through the glittering surface. Perching on it, she allowed her feet to dangle in the water. The cool sensation washing over her like a warm memory.
Like why her father cannot even wait till she's asleep before sneaking out of camp like a curious child.A bittersweet, but fond smile tugged at her lips as she looked at Chip.
09-07-2022, 08:30 PM
