[A'tera]

A'tera's tail swishes back and forth as she makes her way off the deck of a small ferry, looking behind her to ensure those in tow are following right behind. Mother in her late thirties and a budding adolescent girl who carries a toddler aloft in her arms. It is she who bears their collective things, a pair of ruckacks over one arm and a rather large war axe on her right hip. “Not much longer, Tasri. We are almost there.”

[Tasri]

Tasri, a girl of thirteen winters adjusts the smol kitten in her arms, doing her part to quell the fussy child during what has been likely the better part of a day of travel.

Before long the trio of cats were at Luna's doorstep, hardly strays: A'tera announced her presence with a knock at the door.

[Luna]

There is a moment's pause before the sound of a lock turning over and the door opens, revealing Luna in her casual singlet. It takes her but a second before she smiles at the trio. “Ah, Miss A'tera! And these must be some of the kittens, well met Misses!” she says with a bow before welcoming them inside. She gestures them to the couch as she hurries off to the kitchen to retrieve some lunch she had made in preparation - a copious amount of fish and chips along with lemonade.

“Full glad am I you answered my summons, Miss A'tera, it has been far too long!” she says cheerfully, placing the food down on the table.

[A'tera]

A'tera was more or less dressed casually for the weather, a casual summer dress that has somewhat gone off kilter on her form. Showing her shoulder and betraying her intent: the shoulder strap of swimwear that lingers beneath. In light of her burden baggage, she can only offer a polite nod in turn. “Thanks for havin' us, Luna. How have things been since you shed the ears and tail?”

[Tasri]

Tasri manages passable curtsey with her eastern styled suikan, a likely influence from a certain Raen. She makes a visible effort to seem more lady-like with her proper greeting, “Lady Luna.”

[A'natha]

[Luna]

Luna smiles at A'tera as she sits across from them. “Feeling considerably more myself. Though, to be completely honest, the whole experience has caused me a considerable amount of grief and I still suffer to shake the aftereffects of it all.” she explains, a bit down-trodden. She smiles at Tasri. “Someone's been learning their etiquette, very good Miss Tasri.” she praises. She finds herself being eyed by the smollest of the beans, putting on a fuller smile for the young one. “Well hello there, little one.” she says, though she spies the uppies request with some trepidation.

[A'tera]

A'tera nods thoughtfully, knowing better than to delve for more information. “The oaf told me it was rough, nothing a bit of egg nog and rum wont fix, eh?” The trio begin to occupy the opposite couch of the rather large house.

Tasri can't help but positively glow with a grin at the praise of her etiquette from a knightly lady. Her tail swishing to and fro as she tells her, “Big sis showed me a lot of stuff about the east, there's a loooot of etiquette in Doma! And I can count to ten in Hingashi.”

[A'natha]

[Luna]

The knightess laughs shallowly. “Rough is an understatement. I could tell you in detail the experience of feeling my own bones regrow and change shape but I'd rather blot that entire memory out.” she says half-joking. “Some eggnog does sound quite good, I will have to make some later.” she muses on A'teri's note.

She turns her head back to Tasri. “That's great! When I went there, they were very adamant about being polite and respectful. That is quite impressive, Miss Tasri! You can count higher than I can in Hingashi!” she says, not lying one bit.

[A'tera]

“Fuck.” Is all A'tera can say in response to the gritty tails of bone regrowth. Immediately does she reach into one of her luggage bags for a large bottle of Limsan rum, popping off the cork. She does the polite thing and set it between them. “That news is daydrinking worthy.”

[Tasri]

Tasri is just old enough to find her mother's assertion to daydrinking entertaining. “Oh, mum!” She claps her shoulder and her gaze finds Luna. “I can teach you if you'd like!”

[Luna]

Luna can but laugh at A'tera's exclamation. She stands up to retrieve a couple glasses for her and cat momma. “I'm not much into daydrinking, but your visit is exceptional so I suppose I shall, just a bit.” she says, pouring some for the two of them and sipping at hers politely. She looks over at Tasri. She smiles as she speaks, “Perhaps another time, but I will remember to take you up on it one day.” she says jovially.

[A'tera]

A'tera jovially raises her glass and leans over to clink glasses with Luna. “Cheers!” And she would drink down a generous share of her glass and then settle back.

Tasri watches the communal drinking rather curiously and looks between Luna and her mother, who notices and extends the glass to her. “Haven't had a stiff drink yet, have you? Have a sip.”

[Tasri]

Tasri's ears flatten to her head as she lifts it to her nostrils for a whiff. “It smells like burning, mum.” And slowly does she tip that glass back for a ginger sip. Instantaneous regret as her expression sours and she coughs after managing to get that little bit of rum down. The adolescent's face is red with embarrassment as she exclaims, “W-warden's mercy! *AHEM*. How can you two drink that?!”

[A'tera]

A'tera is a giggling fit at her daughter's dismay, accepting the glass back with little fuss from her eldest daughter.

[Luna]

The knightess sips some more of her rum politely after clinking her own glass. She watches the exchange between mother and daughter, forcing down a small laugh at the underestimation of the liquor's bite. She makes her face into one of concern albeit half-false. “Miss Tasri, you might be a bit too young to imbibe such liquors. It is more something for mature adults to drink after a long day of hard work.” she explains. She gives A'tera a knowing scowl at laughing at her daughter.

[A'tera]

“Oh I've been slurping back ale since I was a mewling babe, one of the few ways to actually have water that isn't diseased.” A'tera waves her hand dismissively at Luna.

[Tasri]

Having been had by her mother, Tasri can only sigh at A'tera. “I'm going to have Gair beat you up, at least the plum sake he let me taste didn't burn and taste like ceruleum.”

[Luna]

“I am impressed you can tolerate that vile concoction. I'd sooner just drink my nog than down more of that mixture. I've had it a few times because Gair politely brought me some, but I only did so to not disappoint him.” she admits, laughing a bit towards the end as she realizes how ridiculous she must sound. “Now now, Miss Tasri. Gair is not some idle ruffian, he has standards. I think. I am full confident he would not harm Miss A'tera, at least.” she says.

[A'tera]

The capricious and biting nature of this Miqo'te shows as A'tera bares her fangs and jests pointedly. “What can I say, Luna? I just have a more *mature* sense of taste and don't need to dull it with anything sweet or savory..” At the threat to have the oaf sicced on her, she reaches over and snatches Tasri up by the waist. As “punishment”, she tickles the everloving crap out of her daughter.

[Tasri]

Tasri has been disabled, she squirms and giggles uncontrollably as her mother tickles her. “AHAH! Oh, stop! HAH!”

[A'natha]

[Luna]

“Is that what you call it, Miss A'tera? As you wish.” she says with a grin. She watches the younger mi'qote get snatched up and tickled to death with a smile. As she hears the smol bean awaken and speak, she begins to stand. “You know, Miss Tasri, you should count yourself lucky that your mother would delight you so.” she says with a small laugh, moving to the kitchen. “Allow me to prepare a drink for such a *less mature* taste.” she half-snarks across the room, preparing some fresh lemonade for the children. Luckily, she kept some lemons for flavor, and sugar because what kind of psycho doesn't have sugar in their kitchen?

[Tasri]

Tasri is the first to speak up, her voice somewhat hoarse from the rum after the tickling subisdes “You- ah! This is hardly delightful! I'd also love a glass of anything sweet, please.” She squirms away and comes to a stand, playfully squaring off with her mother.

[A'tera]

A'tera giggles and raises her dukes at the adolescent girl who stands for a bit of revenge, a pair of open palms ready to deflect the hands thrown her way in good fun. “And here I thought you were learning to be ladylike from Miyuki!”

[Luna]

“Of course, Miss Tasri. You and your younger sister will have some refreshing lemonade in just a bit.” she says, carefully slicing up the lemons as she speaks. “I'd offer some to your mother but I am afraid lemonade is just too juvenile for her.” she mocks with a small laugh. “You know, Miss A'tera, I could teach your daughters about proper women's etiquette. There is much and more to know about Ishgardian social complexities that might avail to an aspiring Lady such as Miss Tasri. But it is very strict.” she says, smiling to herself.

[A'tera]

A'tera is pleeeenty happy to be sipping on rum, at the retraction of lemonade. She sits forward and gives Luna a pleading look. “But rum and lemonade is delicious…” No doubt she's given the oaf this look, she puts on the widest eyes she can and flattens her ears to the back of her head.

[A'natha]

[Tasri]

Tasri can do little but roll her eyes at the pair.

[Luna]

Luna is completely unaffected by the sad cat eyes, merely bringing over a pitcher of lemonade and some clean glasses for the children, pouring for them politely. “Here you are, little ones.” She says as she motions for them to enjoy. “Did Gair mention much of my real reasons for you to meet with me? I am full glad for the social visit but I did have some rather odd questions I had hoped you could enlighten me on.”

[A'tera]

A'tera leans over and presents the glass for her youngest. “In his words.. 'she needs to hear about the chocobos and the wesps'.” After a pause, she looks to Tasri for the briefest moment. “But I'd be hard pressed to believe that, I've already a similar talk with my oldest.”

[A'natha]

[Luna]

The woman rolls her eyes. “I'm not surprised he would phrase it as such. No, I am quite familiar with the specifics of, err… reproduction.” she says, a bit awkwardly. “But… There are related matters more specific I do not understand. Quite frankly, I do not understand anything involving what most people call lust?” she says, almost unsure herself.

[A'tera]

“Fucking hell, I'm the odd one out, for once.” A'tera looks all around her, realizing that she's most definitely the least pure of other ladies around her. The eldest woman of the bunch scratches her own ear in consideration before she comes to explain. “For someone who doesn't understand it… think of it like, lust is like a hunger. No doubt you've craved a particular dish or a hot bath after being out in the cold?”

[Luna]

She pauses, perhaps thinking on the comparison. “Well, yes. There have been times I've desired a specific food, sure. So… this lust, then… It's when a man has such a desire for someone's physical features that they find attractive…” she says, trying to relate to what the group had told her prior. “Such a desire for that booty…” she muses, her refined manner of speaking at considerable odds with the milennia future-flung turn of phrase.

[Tasri]

Tasri almost chokes on her lemonade as Luna utters the word “booty”, immediately succumbing to a gigglefit of epic proportions. She keels over on the couch, never unable to unhear that.

[A'tera]

By contrast, A'tera keeps ahold of her mirth for the most part. An audible snort is exhaled and she flashes her fangs in a toothy grin. Giving her eldest daughter a tug on the tail to garner her attention and reign her in for the more serious conversation. “Well, women lust too, how else do you think I ended up with five of my own little kits?” After a pause she concedes a nod. “But yes, it's sort of like a hunger. And some folk can tolerate being without better than others, where as some folk make all the worst choices trying to get tail. You might've heard the saying 'thinking with your dick'.”

[Luna]

Luna looks at Tasri with concern, not understanding the girl's sudden laughing fit. “To be honest, I just thought that was a part of one's womanly duties. To bear children.” She admits plainly. “I… can not say I've heard that phrase, or at least I do not remember hearing it. You say women can feel a lust as well, but I can not claim to have felt such in a very very long time.”

[A'tera]

“I mean..” While A'tera bucks tradition herself, she admits. “For us, it was necessary, we needed strong sons and daughters to survive. It is our lot, but..” She looks over to the attentive adolescent and scoops an arm around her to squeeze her tight. “It is a weight well worth carrying.” At the mention of a lack of Lust, A'tera's tail flicks back and forth like that of a cat whose curiosity has been piqued. “As I've heard the object of your desires is rather out of reach.”

[Tasri]

Tasri, like any other budding rebel of an adolescent, fusses at being doted over and wiggles away after a brief embrace.

[Luna]

“So for you it was necessity… Reproduction to increase your own personal militia… That sounds much the same as the Holy See encourages. To reproduce in order to create more devotees.” she muses outwardly. She finds herself genuinely curious about A'tera's next point. “My object of desires? Pardon? There is no currently no one I have this… Hunger or lust for.” She says truthfully.

[A'tera]

Another toothy grin is illicited from A'tera. “No? Even I've glimpsed that tall glass of water when I've came to and from the Forgotten Knight.” She rolls her eyes uncharacteristically like a teenager and she looks over to Tasri rather pointedly.

[Tasri]

Tasri's cheeks light up and blurts out, “You mean the dashing Ser Aymeric!” With her own girlish wants on full display, she covers her mouth and turns away from the pair.

[A'tera]

A'tera hastens to add, her mirth bubbling out with a laugh. “You Hyur call young folk's feelings 'puppy love', this here is a kitty crush.”

[Luna]

Luna looks shocked at Tasri's outburst, her own cheeks turning a bit flush. “I…!” she stammers for a moment. “Why yes, Ser Aymeric is a beautiful man. I can not claim to have never stolen a lingering glance his way during training. But I did not lie - I have no hunger for this man. He is my Commander and Brother-in-arms. Even by this phrase you call, 'thinking with your dick', I can not say I wish anything more than to fight by his side as I already do. I would presume this lust involves an invasion of your thoughts when they're not around, and there is nobody who particularly vexes me so.”

[Tasri]

Tasri buries her face in the armrest of the couch to hide her own embarrassment for the moment.

[A'tera]

A'tera shakes her head at Luna. “Well, it's different for everyone, lass. It just might not be your thing after all.” Evidently not sure, her shoulders raise in a shrug. “There are some hurts that would kill that desire, I'd wager.”

[Luna]

“I do not know. I feel like I *should* want this, right? It is a normal thing?” she says, unsure. She remains silent at the cat's last comment, her eyes not looking into A'tera's for the moment.

[A'tera]

A'tera's vertical pupils remain affixed on Luna, like that of a great cat looking through her rather than at. “I wouldn't call it normal, but folk are different.” She snatches up the pitcher of lemonade and pours some into her rum bottle, enjoying some lemonade with her rum. Definitely more delicate than her brother as she navigates the latter topic. “Everyone has demons, big and small. Letting them rule your life only validates the ones who inflicted those scars.”

[Luna]

“I suppose some are different, yes. But I just get this overwhelming feeling that I am the one who is wrong.” she says, seemingly ashamed. “My… personal demons are…. ” she hesitates, trailing off. “I do not let them rule me. Not… not outwardly.”

[A'tera]

A'tera's brows quirk up, skepticism is easily read in her features as Luna claims to not be ruled by them. “Riiiight.” To test the theory, she uses her smol bean to prove a point. Plucking her up off the couch and setting her to stand on the floor, showing a toothy grin for the wobbly toddler. She motions to Luna and incentivizes her to act. “Auntie Luna gave you some yummy lemonade, huh? Go give her a hug!”

[A'natha]

[Luna]

With a frown and a startle, the knight retracts her legs instinctively from the poor child. It is all she can do to resist shouting. She immediately looks ashamed, especially for almost yelling at a child.

[A'natha]

[Tasri]

The older and wiser of the two children pushes herself up from the couch, Tasri steps over to scoop up her little sister. Adjusting A'natha in her arms as she considers Luna. Hesitantly does she add her two gil to the conversation, “Mum's not wrong, as long as I've known you.. you're not just shy about being touched.”

[A'tera]

A'tera settles back and cradles her delicate chin in the palm of her hand, a rather sad looking smile as Tasri speaks her mind.

[Luna]

“I… I am definitely quite uncomfortable about being touched without my permission.” she admits. “Even though my job involves touching people all the time - helping them out, picking them up, that sort of thing. But that's on my own terms. When it's sudden or without my expectations…” she sighs, upset at herself. She shifts in her seat a bit, feeling uncomfortable just slightly.

[Tasri]

Tasri bows her head and resumes her seat, observing the grown women talk now.

[A'tera]

A'tera traces a calloused finger along her jawline, her gaze trailing over Luna's form as she drinks in the subtle shifting of her body language. The latter half of her tail swishing back and fourth she considers her next words. “You're fine with it in your work because when you don that armor, you're not Luna. You're your tribe, you're Ishgard, Halone's will, a knightess.” After voicing her peace, she finishes that thought. “But Luna the woman is ruled by her demons, shying from trusted friends. Shrinking from a child, no less.”

[Luna]

The woman looks poised to raise a hand in disagreement, but quickly lowers it. She crosses her arms under accusation. “I… That is hardly true. There is no woman split from the armor. I am one and the same, a temple knight of Ishgard, and proud of it. You do not lie, Halone flies at my back and informs my blade. I have no room in my work to suffer such demons you speak.” she says, almost indignantly, though clearly A'tera had hit her mark. “I shed the separation decades ago, it only brought me pain.” she says, speaking a half truth.

[A'tera]

A'tera's tail swishes back and fourth even faster, her left ear swivelling at an odd angle at her words. “I'm not convinced.” She tells Luna outright.

[Tasri]

Tasri watches on, mild concern on her features as her wide eyes follow the adult conversation.

[A'tera]

Whom A'tera jabs her chin toward a moment later. “You don't need to hold anything back, Thasri's old enough to listen to this.”

[Luna]

Luna sighs, hanging her head and looking at the floor rather than A'tera. “I… It is very important to my work and more that I make such a wild disconnect between myself and such a tortured shade that dwells within.” she admits, unable to directly lie to momma cat. She pauses for a moment. “I do not have the freedom to express or confront it.”

[A'tera]

The sunseeker woman exhales a sigh, her gaze softening as he considers Luna for a pregnant (ha) pause. “Strength in truth, to yourself and the world. In the absence of it, your own flame wavers,” she comments rather pointedly. “There is nothing anyone can say or do to mend the past, there is only confronting it. Like any other foe.”

[Tasri]

“Blessed Azeyma.” Echoes Tasri.

[Luna]

“I would rather not confront it. The failings of my own childhood need stay where they are. It was a simple matter of not being strong enough, but now my strength shines resolute and fierce. I do not plan to suffer such mistakes again.” She says, looking away from A'tera now.

[A'tera]

A'tera's ears twitch a couple more times rather pointedly, her eyes narrow as they pass over to her eldest daughter. Considering the budding adolescent for a long moment. “Failings.” She echoes. “Failings? Whatever happened, you were a child. Don't hold some shitty double standard, you wouldn't fault Thasri if an adult hurt her.”

[Luna]

“I do not hold Miss Tasri to the same standard that I hold myself.” she says bluntly. “Miss Tasri is to be protected from such atrocities. She deserves to be.”

[A'tera]

A'tera wears her irritation clear as day as the youth victim blaming comes out, her already narrow vertical pupils slit down to a needle's width as she stares at Luna. “Well it's a damn good thing your standards don't amount to much.” A low growl finds the diminutive woman's throat as she considers her next words. “Deserving, yes, the both of you. We were all dumb fuckin' kids once, and not one of us. You or I, had any real agency as little girls.”

[Luna]

“I am well aware of the lack of agency I possessed as a youth. It was made abundantly clear to myself, bereft of the strength I have now. It is true that lacking such forward ability, it caused much and more to happen to me. I was not strong enough. I made sure to rectify that.” She says, the light in her eyes dulling a bit as she remembers.

[Tasri]

Tasri looks on with mild concern, visibly out of her depth for this conversation. She just continues to tend to her younger sister by giving her light scritches, sending the smol bean off into a deep, deep slumber.

[A'tera]

A break in her irritation, A'tera too reaches over to show similar affections to her eldest daughter. Her hand idly resting on Tasri's head. “Aye, which is why those around you with knowledge and agency should'a been doing right by you.”

[Luna]

The knightess visibly frowns as she speaks. “Sir Lafont. At the time, he was the luminous guardian I looked up to, shielding me as much as he could from the harsh words of the men of the cloth. He was the one who took me in and kept a roof over myself, and saw to my desires as a young lass.”

[A'tera]

“Sir Lacunt.” Whether it's A'tera channeling Gair, or it's been Gair channeling his eldest sister this entire time: no-one will ever know. Her countenance twists in obvious disgust at the latter admittance that the aforementioned man saw to any desires she might have had. “He sounds like the worst kind of Nunh, chasing head of the tribe just so he can dip his wick. Get the adoration of scores of pretty young women.”

[Luna]

Luna pauses for a moment. Despite the decades of separation and thought on the matter, hearing the man referred to in such a way still served to give her an instinctual sting. “I fear you are more accurate than perhaps you meant, or perhaps Gair told you already. Though I have no intention of going in detail about his actions - Especially not with two so young here. They need not hear it.” she says, looking at Tasri and A'natha for a moment.

[A'tera]

A'tera looks indifferently on her daughters as their age is brought up, her shoulders lofting in a smooth shrug, clearly unbothered. “When I was Thasri's age, I was feathering imperials with my bow and leading my sisters out of Gyr Abania: found that oaf you so care about. She's old enough.”

[Tasri]

Tasri's chest puffs out and she sits a little straighter, putting on a stronger face as she looks more attentively between the grown women. In particular, offering Luna an affirming nod.

[Luna]

The woman sighs heavily as some more light leaves her eyes. “I harbor no desire to haunt the dreams of your kittens, Miss A'tera. I will suffice to say that Sir Lafont was not the hallowed guardian I believed him to be, and that he expected payment eventually for his deeds. And I was not one to refuse. Nor… Nor did I want to, for a time.” she says sullenly, clearly undesiring to divulge further.

[A'tera]

“I don't know about Halone's house, my friend..” A'tera starts slowly, her gaze sweeping from her daughter over to Luna. “But we don't spare our litters the ugly truth, a nightmare would do my oldest well.. as for this little one.” She slips a hand over to the slumbering toddler and scritches her as well, “Our words will go well over her head.”

[Tasri]

Tasri speaks up finally, no longer letting her mother only speak on her behalf. The adolescent lending an appropriate weight to the conversation, “If you're comfortable to, lady Luna. You say this.. hurt has driven you to seek strength?” She pauses, trying to find the words. “Would it not do me well to know? Even as a tale of caution..”

[Luna]

The knightess locks eyes with A'tera for a moment, though she practically looks past her. “I am not simply a dispenser of storied platitudes. That which effects me so deeply to this day that I would not share with most is not to be considered advice for the curious.” she says firmly. She casts her piercing gaze over to Tasri and stares at her for a solid moment, considering the youth. “Though, I would speak of it all the same, I suppose. But I have no intention of delving into every last thing.” she lowers her head and sighs before speaking again.

“I was brought to Ishgard around 8 winters into my life. As a lowborn outsider, and especially as a young girl, I was shunned almost entirely. Detested, lower than the stone they trod upon. Except one man who took an interest in me. Sir Lafont Neaucant. As I said, he took me in to his care and gave me what I needed. Whenever I attempted to ask him how I could repay his kindness, he would simply say that I need not worry about it. That such a manner would present itself one day. One night, after some time had passed, he came to collect. He locked me in my room and took of me that which was his. As racked with pain as I was that night, I had no idea it was only the beginning. For 4 winters, he continued to take of me. Worse yet was that I willingly gave, as he had convinced me that we were in….” she stutters, and is practically unable to finish her sentence. “in… In… 'love'.” she chokes out.

[Tasri]

Tasri was well enough placated by the knight's stare well enough, her attentions laser-focused on the knightess: thanking her lucky stars she was not made a meal of in that moment.

As A'tera lends her attentions, there is a wave of comprehension over her, read clear as day in her delicate features. Her tribal markings curve down in a thoughtful frown, “Warden's mercy..” She utters, pushing herself to a stand, her tail muted and hanging low as she steps across to Luna's couch. Being well enough considerate, she offers only a hand on the armrest nearest her. “Hun, sounds like he was no 'sir' at all. It's low men who expect women to pay charity with their bodies.” She trails off, idly murmuring. “No wonder the oaf was cross when you suggested he had ulterior motive..”

[Luna]

She ignored the hand, partially out of not even seeing it. “You could see how such an upbringing could lead to such a fractured understanding about modern romance, much less….” She struggles for the words, “Much less anything further.”

[A'tera]

A'tera claps the armrest to affirm that she is indeed there and bobs her head. “I'll not lie, I've had my own suspicions for a while.. but I've the benefit of being older and wiser.” She trails off, knowing there is little she can offer by way of comfort for the old wound. “For what it's worth, I'm sorry, lass. Love and making it is a hell of a thing to have ruined for you.”

[Luna]

Luna looks up at A'tera once more. “Has it truly been so apparent?” She asks, upset at herself thinking she was so see through. She seems to shudder as A'tera mentions lovemaking.

[A'tera]

The older Miqo'te can only nod at Luna's question in answer. “Well, others might think you're a little odd, but a mother knows.” Her tail raises up and swishes up in the air behind her.

[Tasri]

Perhaps heartening for the highlander, Tasri tells Luna as she lays the smol bean over the couch. “I.. will heed your word, Lady Luna. And make sure that such things are on my terms.”

[Luna]

The woman frowns, displeased that she hadn't hidden it well enough. “I… will have to work to rectify that. I had no intention of making it so apparent, even if only to a perceptive mother.” She casts her gaze upon Tasri. “I daresay you are full intelligent enough to not make such a foolish mistake as I.” she says honestly. “Though I suppose it was rather insidious how he convinced me I was in love. However, I do not believe you to be the type to fall for that, Miss Tasri.”

[Tasri]

Tasri, evidently holding the knightess in high regard, immediately waves her hand quickly and shakes her head. “N-no, I've little doubt you were formidable in those days and only moreso now. By comparison to you and mum, I'm well sheltered enough..”

[A'tera]

A'tera's tail moves over the armrest of the couch, the notion that she needs to hide it clearly irritating her. A soft fluff of fur just *baps* her across the face as she whips the appendage into her personal space. “Don't go thinking you need to squash it down and hide it for all eternity, you need to own your pain. Wear it like armor so that it may never be used against you.”

[Luna]

” I was not to be feared back then as perhaps my strength gives me now. All the more reason to be cautious. You need not regret being so protected. We strive for the betterment of our future progeny, even if I am to not contribute directly to said generations.” She says, looking at Tasri. She jumps a bit when A'tera's tail whaps her in the face, looking genuinely startled. She takes a moment to collect herself before speaking. “This torment has long since been absorbed into my soul. It is as much who I am as the sword and shield I raise. But it is a pain I need not burden most with. I am a solitary carrier of Halone.”

[A'tera]

Evidently there is a sweet side to this mommacat after all, she veeeeeery gingerly comes to bring her hand atop Luna's head. Wordlessly showing her intent with its advance, likely to scritch her like she would one of her own kits. “Blades chip, rust and shields will crack. You may speak and believe the lie you are alone in this, but if you looked to your sides, you would see others have readily locked shields with yours.”

[Luna]

The woman jumps again as the hand touches down on the top of her head, and she moves her hand to remove it gently. “I… I know this now. That I might lean upon my companions for support from time to time. However, I am loathe to do so. I still harbor fear that it shall erode, or that I shall prove unworthy of such. Even at the best of times, old habits are slow to erase.”

[A'tera]

“Only saints and the Twelve themselves are worthy, that's why you cherish those around you as much as you can.” A'tera would easily part her hand from Luna's head easily enough after showing some passing motherly affection. “As I said, there is naught I can do to mend your tattered heart. Only to affirm you've shoulders to lean on as we all suffer in life.”

[Luna]

Luna just hangs her head, her hair falling to hide her features. “Thank you, Miss A'tera…” she says quietly, just loud enough for the catmom to hear it.

[A'tera]

Realizing that she may have said and done enough for the moment, A'tera takes a step back from Luna's seated spot. “For the moment.. shall we make for the beach? I'd not want to make this entire trip all doom and gloom.”

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