Budding Fear

[22:12] The white-feathered wraps two arms around the Lea, asking her softly;

"Wanna go home instead, my Lea, just talk amid the blankets and pillows?"
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[22:12] Lea Elisheva says, "...that works better."
[22:18] Magdalen enters the familiar, strangely mood-lit hecken house, and proceeds to grab all of the pillows and all of the blankets off of the beds. She'll make a pillow and blanket pile, with two in reserve to go on top of the individuals who would theoretically come to occupy that 'nest'.

Then, she'd set a brush, a comb, and a plate of cinnamon-sugar cookies she hid away next to those two items!

With preparations set up, the momly thing will go first, flopping down upon cushiony spot, back to pillow-mound-softened wall and motioning for the other to come cuddle up with her in that comfortable little spot!
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[22:20] The mood lighting made Lea raise an eyebrow, as always, but she ultimately decided not to question her mom's taste in atmosphere too hard. After all, what's the worst it could possibly mean?
...

Let's not go there.

It didn't take her too long to flop down on a cushiony spot as well, next to her mom, with cinnamon cookies that she was so eager to eat that she somehow managed to eat them before she knew were even there.

"You're the best at this whole mom thing."
(Lea Elisheva)
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[22:25] The Angel-blooded didn't set up the lighting okay! It was Lailah and that person she'd hang out with!

Regardless, as soon as Lea arrives, the trap is spun! Arms tug her close, hugging her with a sort of relievedness at her previous declaration, both blankets pulled so as to cover them both partially.

She'll be quiet for a long while, holding Lea close as if she's quite literally the most precious thing on Eternia. Weapons and tools have been set aside in a pile, even that heavy cloak Magdalen favors. Nothing in the way of warm, gentle hugs.

Burying her face in the blueberry's hair for a while, eventually Magdalen speaks, muffled, her blonde locks all draped down Lea's own head!

"Talk to me, Lea. I'd like to know what you're thinking about - how you're feeling. Mhm...

You're really important to me, and I hope you don't feel distanced from me - I hope you never feel separated from me ever..."
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[22:30] It didn't take long at all for Lea to get to the point about what happened earlier.

"What I'm doing with Rindou is no different than what I tried to do with Lailah, y'know? That's something a lot of other people missed the point of."

"If we give people space to make bad decisions, it's a lot easier to see whether or not they're actually bad people."

"Adrian also resigned and I'm none too happy about that. I'm actually more stressed out about it, even!"
(Lea Elisheva)
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[22:38] Magdalen squeezes tightly to that child, a small nod more felt then heard. She'd lean back a bit, a hand coming to gently take the brush from the table. It's dragged, slowly and tenderly through the Lea's hair. Just in small, slow motions, beginning at the ends, and eventually brushing down from slightly higher spots!

Just to gradually tease out any snags or knots, without pulling on them too much!

"Oh... Thank you for telling me that, sweetie. I examined the Red Key - the sword she wants, Halcyon. It's really important, though.

It would be improper to be even used as a weapon by anyone, in all honesty... It should be hooked up to a machine to assist in the control of Illyothian technology. It's extremely precious, and even I can't scan it to determine its full set of capabilities.

Do you know why she wants it so badly, though? There has to be a reason other then a sense of it being hers..."

Her philosophy is interesting, but also worrying. A break is taken from brushing for a second, to hug and squeeze Lea.

"I understand, Lea. That's a worrying philosophy, though. It means you'll only know after they've betrayed you... What if they sit on the fence, instead? Using you, but not fully betraying you. Squeezing you for all you're worth..."

Adrian's resignation has Magdalen blink-blink, pausing as she's returned to brushing. She'll ask softly;

"How come, my dear? I don't know much about him, but I'm not sure why he'd do that..."
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[22:45] "You squeeze me for all I'm worth!!!"

whoosh

Perhaps out of spite, Lea hugged Magdalen back, and started running her fingers through her mom's wings, spellbound by how soft and fluffy they were.

"But... other people haven't done that yet. I'll figure it out when I encounter it. I'm willing to take that risk if it means that I have the chance of letting someone change for the better. And... she said it best. She wants it because she wants to be special. She wants to have someone unique, only to her. And it was something that was stolen from her. And as far as Adrian goes..."

Her mood took a noticeable downturn, as she snuggled up even more tightly against her mom.

"Adrian can't handle the pressure of leading and is upset that I didn't talkto him enough about the decisions I made. It's sad, but..."

There was no but. While not heartbroken, she was absolutely not happy about it.
(Lea Elisheva)
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[22:54] The downy feathers savored by Lea's fingertips have the older give a tiny squirm and giggle. She'll pause, a contented note given at the enjoyment of her wings, setting her soft cheek down atop Lea's head!

Listening to the other as those pure-white feathers are enjoyed - though Lea might be able to find one of the four metallic-gold feathers, more rigid and less fluffy. Kind of dead.

A breath is taken, and a response softly spoken;

"Do you think she is saveable, my dear? I've not seen her improve one bit since we first encountered her...

She seems unwilling to compromise. And like, that's kind of sad, to be honest, needing some shiny thing to swing around to feel worth...

Especially since it isn't hers. They're property of the nations that hold them. I still would be willing to make somethingspecial for her, with you and her, because that's something I can do.

Besides, if you help her make it, then it'd be more special then any other sword, since you're more special then anyone else, mhm."

As that mood takes a down-turn, a quick kiss is given to the top of Lea's head. Hands resume their gentle brushing.

"Mm? Which decision, dear? It is important that you talk to your co-leader about decisions you make, since you both had equal power...

But I'm here to be on your side, so I'm not gonna harp on you about that. Besides, you look like you're already punishing yourself about it..."
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[22:57] Lea Elisheva says, "Well, I don't know if she is, but..."
[22:59] Lea was awkwardly silent. Very, very awkwardly silent.

"...I'm kinda in too deep already."

She left the implications as ambiguous as she could.
(Lea Elisheva)
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[22:59] Lea Elisheva says, "And as far as Adrian goes..."
[22:59] Lea Elisheva says, "The decision to talk to people without him."
[23:00] Lea Elisheva says, "Like, that's literally it. I even spoke to him about the other people, later."
[23:00] Lea Elisheva says, "But I called him an idiot once and then he got, like, platinum... no, arcanium mad at me about Thalia and Ilui."
[23:01] The Angel-blooded can't help but question that, concerned momness rising.

"May I ask what you mean by that, sweetie? You're... Um... With her?"

Magdalen will pause to gently gaze down into those blue eyes, her own gold-stained ones quiet and thoughtful. She ignores the other words for now!
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[23:02] Lea Elisheva says, "...so yeah, Adrian kinda can't handle the job."
[23:06] Lea Elisheva says, "...you can kinda fill in the blanks and you'd probably have the right answer."
[23:07] Lea Elisheva says, "It's just awkward to talk about."
[23:12] Lea Elisheva says, "It just sucks when people bail like that, I guess..."
[23:16] There's an awkward period of silence, Magdalen looking legitimately saddened by Lea's declaration. The brush is temporarily dropped at the notion of people bailing on you, while both hands wrap themselves around the Demi-Angel, squeezing her tightly again.

"… I'm sorry for leaving you alone, my Lea. I didn't know you'd be so lonely that..."

Yeah, those eyes tear up a little again, leaning in to set foreheads to foreheads.

"I... I just don't want you to feel stuck in a relationship were you're the one trying... It's not fair to you."
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[23:17] Lea Elisheva says, "Oh, no, make no mistake. She's a wonderful person to be around when nobody else is. But I figure that goes without saying because most people are entirely different to those they trust."
[23:19] Lea Elisheva says, "I don't feel lonely most of the time, either."
[23:21] Lea Elisheva says, "Being so outgoing towards people works wonders for loneliness."
[23:22] Lea Elisheva says, "You're just gonna have to take my word for it when I say it's not the kind of dynamic you think it is."
[23:28] The explanation doesn't help the worry the Angel-blooded feels in her chest. Her gaze lowers, despite that closeness. Honestly, concern turns into actual fear. It's clear that she's afraid for Lea. Similar kinda look to the one she'd get about Lailah, when she missed her.

A few tears fall and that hug tightens - almost possessively - so as to not have the water-attuned Lea slip away.
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[23:29] Lea started making squeaky toy noises.
(Lea Elisheva)
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[23:30] Lea Elisheva says, "Y...your concern *squeak*... is... understandable..."
[23:32] Lea Elisheva says, "I won't do anything too dumb as long as you're alive."
[23:32] Lea Elisheva says, "I promise."
[23:42] The mother quickly finds herself crying softly, holding Lea and rocking her. Overreacting, most definitely. Why is she so afraid?

"Please promise that you'll never let her come between us..."

She pleads softly, burying face into blueberry locks;

"I can't imagine a world without my Lea... Can't imagine it at all...

I-I should use my technique on you, so he can't take you away... And maybe you can use the lighthouse too..."
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[23:46] Lea swatted away that AFK tag >:(

"Do whatever it takes to give yourself peace of mind, please. You have every reason to be afraid, and I know trust alone can't do anything about your other feelings."
(Lea Elisheva)
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[23:46] Lea Elisheva says, "And-"
[23:46] Lea Elisheva says, "Just try to be nice to her."
[23:47] Lea Elisheva says, "You take priority, but I'm not gonna be happy if I -have- to prioritize. "
[23:49] Those teary eyes look to the Lea, sniffles had and hurt obvious. Sors is still her boogyman. The monster under the bed, the rattling chains heard behind closed doors, the monotone voice she'd hear before she'd wake up, drenched in sweat.

And Rindou is connected to him.

"Please promise, my Lea... Please."

She just wants to hear that promise, hugging Lea tightly and looking at her with a certain wild desperation that grates against her usually civil, orderly form.
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[23:50] Lea Elisheva says, "Oh."
[23:50] Lea Elisheva says, "Right."
[23:50] Lea Elisheva says, "I promise."
[23:56] "Thaaank yooou..."

The slightly crazed thing declares, eyes closing and a genuine sort of relief coming over her. There's a few breaths taken. Just centering herself and calming down. She was having a bit of a moment there for a bit.

…

After a long while of deep breaths and tight hugs, Magdalen nods.

"Lea, how would I go about being nice to her? She hates me already and I hate being passive and nodding along with something I don't agree with...

I don't know how I can be the kind of 'nice' that she wants, without me letting her walk all over what I believe in and what I value. I can't agree with her, and she craves that agreement and support and gets angry and defensive if I make my mind known..."
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[23:58] Lea Elisheva says, "Just don't talk to her, probably."
[23:58] Magdalen Elisheva asks, "What do I do if I'm in the same room as her then, dear?"
[23:59] Lea Elisheva exclaims, "Let me do the talking!"
[23:59] Lea Elisheva says, "You know I have a way with words."
[00:00] Magdalen Elisheva says, "Yeah, you do... I'm still worried you're being way, way too soft on her."
[00:01] Magdalen Elisheva says, "I'm afraid that she's going to spend so much time around you that eventually people will think she's some sort of important Levengard official, and then she'll start exerting her will internationally and damaging the agreement we have to keep the peace..."
[00:03] Lea Elisheva says, "I'll handle that if it happens."
[00:04] Magdalen Elisheva says, "Okay, my Lea..."
[00:08] Holding Lea close, Magdalen breathes in a soft, slow breath.

"I don't think I can ever trust her how she is right now...

At her core, she feels entitled, fragile, paranoid, angry, and when I look into her eyes, I don't know what she's capable of.

It worries me. I don't want someone like that to be by my most precious treasure..."

An honest response, paired with a sigh. Obviously she knows that it's not up to her, but she needed to say it.
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[00:10] Lea Elisheva says, "Well."
[00:10] Lea Elisheva exclaims, "At least it's not someone boring!"
[00:12] The Angel-blooded can't help but laugh at that, shaking her head.

"At this point, I'd prefer boring..."

Another squeeze is given to Lea.

"First thing tomorrow, okay? Gonna show you my technique, mhm..."
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[00:13] Lea Elisheva says, "Okay, sounds *squeak* fun."
[00:16] Lea Elisheva asks, "...sooooo can I go now?"
[00:17] Magdalen finally releases the Lea from that posessive sort of hug, half-falling asleep. She'll give a little nod.
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[00:17] Magdalen Elisheva says, "Gonna sleep here tonight, my dear."
[00:17] Lea Elisheva says, "FINALLY"
[00:17] Lea Elisheva says, "I CAN BREATHE"
[00:18] Lea gasped for air, having had to hold her breath that WHOLE ITME.

Sometimes mom's hugs were too good :(
(Lea Elisheva)
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[00:20] Magdalen mom falls asleep fairly quickly, unfortunately, but not without a;
(Magdalen Elisheva)
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[00:20] Magdalen Elisheva says, "Love you, my Lea... Thank yooou."
[00:20] Lea Elisheva exclaims, "I love you too!"