Ehlena Ghardian
~At my Father's Estate in Connecticut ~
*Holding Rehvenge's hand as my Father enters the room, Lusie by his side, I can't help but smile. He looks disheveled but regal. His satin robe is new, his silk pajamas orderly, pressed even. His eyes, not as frantic as they used to be, take in Rehvenge and I. What I most notably notice is the smile that tugs at his lips* My Father. *Switching to the mother tongue, my nostrils flaring to take in the scent of his bay rum aftershave. His response, as always, makes me smile even more. "Daughter mine, how fare thee this night?".* Well, my Father. And you? *Squeezing Rehvenge's hand before looking over at him* Mine Hellren accompanied me this evening.. he wanted to be here when I give you your gift.
Rehvenge Ghardian
*Entering the room where Ehlena's father is, I rehearse the instructions I was given. I want to have this go as smoothly as possible, and I mentally check things off my list - no cell phones, no quick movements, if anything happens ... quietly leave. It's immediately obvious the love they both share and I notice the way her father's eye light up at the sight of her. Don't fuck this up, Rehv, I think to myself. Being introduced, remembering to speak in the Old tongue, I bow slightly with respect* Good evening Alyne, how fare thee this night? *Taking hold of Ehlena's hand, I feel her squeeze it. I look into his eyes briefly, careful not to hold his gaze. It may work to intimidate those at the Colony, but not here. So far so good*
Ehlena Ghardian
*His response is cordial, but yet as Rehvenge takes his place beside me, I feel him stiffen. Poor Male. To thrust him into this...--sighing to myself, should I have did it? Yes, a small voice answers back. He needs to meet the Male that you call your Father. Carefully, I reach to my side and pick up the small box that holds the Stationary I ordered for him and his Gold pen--blue ink, of course. Holding it out to him, I remember when he presented me with his gift for me. The Book he wrote for me. As Lusie takes the present and hands it to his held open hands* A gift for you, Father mine. *Watching as he slowly opens it, his gray hair moving as he works open the ribbon and finally the box. His expression isn't one of utter surprise, he just... looks at it.* Forgive me, Father, if thee doesn't like it.
Rehvenge Ghardian
*I'm eager to see how her father responds to Ehlena's gift. I know she's placed a lot of thought into it, and I'm not sure how to interpret his reaction. Instead of looking at it, or thanking her, Alyne just sits there and does nothing. I assess his emotional grid, not sure what to expect and it leaves me confused. He's not feeling anything and his mind is quiet.* Tis a great gift to write with, Alyne. I know Ehlena has spent much time in seeking such things. *I try to not to make a sound when his grid suddenly fires up like a fucking Christmas tree. I look at Ehlena from the corner of my eye. Something's happening*
Ehlena Ghardian
*His stare is blank as he takes in the present, but yet his eyes focus not on it. It's on... what the--Oh, no... I notice that I wasn't as thorough with double checking when removing the packaging from the pen. A small metal object laid nestled in the tissue paper. I stand still.. my heart starts racing. This is not what I wanted. I'm horrified.. embarrassed. Reaching forward, my fingertips not touching his as I take out the object and pocket it* See? Father mine. It's all gone. *His head head shakes back and forth consistently. As I feel my cheeks flame, his words come out fast and chopped together. "Nothingmetalisleftout".*
Rehvenge Ghardian
*I stay very still, watching as Ehlena takes a breath. Her father's response comes out in one mess of a sentence and his emotions continue to spiral. The calmness I sensed when I first arrived is long gone and my heart sinks. This is what Ehlena has had to deal with and it reminds me that she's an incredible female of worth. I'm not sure whether this is when I need to leave, so I watch as she tries to sooth her father. I feel helpless, absolutely fucking helpless. And it's not something I care for.*
Ehlena Ghardian
Father mine. *Speaking with authority, my cheeks still feel as if they're on fire as Lusie steps away--her nod at my actions help me press on* It was nothing. Just a gift for you. *Stepping back out of his vision, I watch with despair as the gift falls from his hands. He's helpless like this. I'M helpless when this happens. Removing my hand from Rehvenges's, I hug myself as I watch him. I didn't miss this about my Father, but I'm proud of him.. how he deals with this everyday. My eyes close as I try my best to stay quiet, his rambling growing even more frantic. My mind goes back to the Fade Ceremony with Tohrment.. and how it wasn't the first one I witnessed. My Father had went through the same thing with my Mahmen....* Nothing is there. *I repeat again*
Rehvenge Ghardian
*Suddenly I feel like I'm intruding on a private moment. Something I'm sure Alyne wouldn't want others watching. As Ehlena drops my hand, and holds herself tightly, I want to lift her in my arms and take her away from this. How this must weigh on her - the never knowing when her father's mood will take a turn for the worse. I'm totally out of my league here and as she continues to repeat nothing is there and her father's thought processes deteriorate, I slowly stand and move toward the door. I send out a mental I love you, knowing she can't hear it, but meaning it anyway. I slip through the door, closing it, and let out a loud breath. She'll need me when this is over, and I'm ready to give her anything she needs. Leaning against the wall, I wait. My gaze never leaving the door.*
Ehlena Ghardian
*Hearing the door close behind Rehvenge, I'm still embarrassed.. but I'm in the mindset of my Father. My eyes land on Lusie as she steps out of my Father's range-as he gets panicked and thrashes sometimes. Hopefully, this won't last long, but I never know with my Father. After this is over.. I know the Male before me. His face will flame as he straightens himself. He'll be utterly embarrassed of his mental state and apologize. Of course, I'll accept it-what else is there to do? Shame him for something he can't control? Absolutely not. When this is over, I'll accept it and I'll call Rehvenge back in and we'll do this over again.. I'm ever proud of my Father, no matter what his mental state is. Proud to be the Blooded Daughter of Alyne*~
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