Alezae walked, barefoot, across the grass, moist with morning dew. Her slender fingers, traced the gentle softness of the petals of the flowers in the gardens, hesitating on the deepness of the blue roses. There was something precious about the rare roses, and their deep meaningful blue pigment. Her fingers traced down the stem, carefully avoiding a prick from the thorns, snapping the stem, and bringing it to her nose. Fragrant and sweet. She smiled carefully, resting on the bench as she heard soft steps behind her. "Morning, mother." She said sweetly, almost in a sing song voice.

Her mother, without speaking, sat beside her on the concrete bench, vines and moss growing up and entangling around the legs. "Beautiful day," she finally said, taking the rose from her daughter's hands, "Good day to be training a young mercenary." She put the flower in her daughter's smooth ruby hair.

"A student." She clarified. "I don't think much of it."

"You father and I were talking." Her mother started, now sternly. "We were thinking it's time we stepped in... We had originally wanted for you to have the freewill to choose who you start your own family with... But you've shown no interest. You'll have a child of your own one day to train in the arts of becoming a valued member of this great society."

"Why do I need one of my own, when I'm provided a child to keep after as they come of age?" She asked carelessly, standing as if to turn away. 

Her mother took her hand gently. "You'll understand. We'll talk more on it later." And she too rose to her feet and departed.

Alezae simply sighed, looking to the rising sun as if for deeper understanding she was somehow missing.