Ridahne made a face and sort of halfheartedly shook her finger at Taja. "Don't you rip up my Seed-Bearer, Taja, you owe her. You'll test my field-medic skills for sure if that keeps up." She chuckled. Some people were accident prone but Darin was something else. The tree hadn't been joking. Still, she kind of liked the idea of having a bird around. They were good animals and could form deep bonds with their handlers.
Ravi spoke to Darin first, and as he did, a worker was subtly checking out the horses to make sure they were outfitted properly and in good shape. Ridahne had seen to Tsura thoroughly, as her life had more than once depended on his good health, but she appreciated the little gesture.
Ridahne looked up as Ravi spoke to her this time, and she took his hand in hers. They were different people and had different perspectives on how to handle things, but there was no ill will between them at all. She nodded, though something about his last statement caught and stuck inside of her.
Do not think you can be used as a sacrifice.
Ridahne had't exactly thought this out plainly, not with words, though she had promised to give her life if that's what it took to see their task through. But on some level Ravi's words cut to the core of her. She had not planned to die--no, she hoped to get a few hundred years under her belt before that ever happened--but maybe that vision she had, the second part, made her think more about it. She'd seen herself broken, dying. And she hadn't been sure of what to make of that except that she was willing if it meant keeping Darin safe. And on some other level, too, Ridahne had always seen herself as disposable in some small way. Not like refuse--nothing so base or unwanted. But like a finite thing with a purpose that could be spent. Her family needed extra income and food to get by while her mother was sick? She would brave the dangerous Dust Sea by herself at whatever cost. Her Sol was a corrupt murderer and a liar? Ridahne would remove her. At whatever cost. And if Darin had not accepted her as guardian, or if she had sent her away after learning the truth of her exile? Ridahne would have gone home and met her fate. At whatever cost.
She'd never thought too much about it, never admitted it until now, but she had thought of herself as a sacrifice to be given for some greater cause. She made no sign of this sudden and uncomfortable revelation and said nothing about it, just nodded gravely and gripped Ravi's hand a little tighter in farewell. "I am honored to know you, Kheli'satauri." Which, now that Darin had eaten the apple given to her by the Tree, she would now know meant 'sighted one'. Ridahne lifted one slim hand to the workers in parting, and turned Tsura towards the road.
"Yes, let's go." And as they finally made their way off The Farm, Ridahne said, "they spoke to me of trouble on the road ahead. They did not know what sort it was, but we should take watches during the night...which means actually sleeping near each other." She turned and gave a little smile; she meant it as playful riffing and nothing more. Neither of them had said it, but Ridahne knew that things were not the same between them now as they had been. They were stronger together now, and felt that for her part at least she understood her partner better now. And she felt more understood, herself.
Ravi spoke to Darin first, and as he did, a worker was subtly checking out the horses to make sure they were outfitted properly and in good shape. Ridahne had seen to Tsura thoroughly, as her life had more than once depended on his good health, but she appreciated the little gesture.
Ridahne looked up as Ravi spoke to her this time, and she took his hand in hers. They were different people and had different perspectives on how to handle things, but there was no ill will between them at all. She nodded, though something about his last statement caught and stuck inside of her.
Do not think you can be used as a sacrifice.
Ridahne had't exactly thought this out plainly, not with words, though she had promised to give her life if that's what it took to see their task through. But on some level Ravi's words cut to the core of her. She had not planned to die--no, she hoped to get a few hundred years under her belt before that ever happened--but maybe that vision she had, the second part, made her think more about it. She'd seen herself broken, dying. And she hadn't been sure of what to make of that except that she was willing if it meant keeping Darin safe. And on some other level, too, Ridahne had always seen herself as disposable in some small way. Not like refuse--nothing so base or unwanted. But like a finite thing with a purpose that could be spent. Her family needed extra income and food to get by while her mother was sick? She would brave the dangerous Dust Sea by herself at whatever cost. Her Sol was a corrupt murderer and a liar? Ridahne would remove her. At whatever cost. And if Darin had not accepted her as guardian, or if she had sent her away after learning the truth of her exile? Ridahne would have gone home and met her fate. At whatever cost.
She'd never thought too much about it, never admitted it until now, but she had thought of herself as a sacrifice to be given for some greater cause. She made no sign of this sudden and uncomfortable revelation and said nothing about it, just nodded gravely and gripped Ravi's hand a little tighter in farewell. "I am honored to know you, Kheli'satauri." Which, now that Darin had eaten the apple given to her by the Tree, she would now know meant 'sighted one'. Ridahne lifted one slim hand to the workers in parting, and turned Tsura towards the road.
"Yes, let's go." And as they finally made their way off The Farm, Ridahne said, "they spoke to me of trouble on the road ahead. They did not know what sort it was, but we should take watches during the night...which means actually sleeping near each other." She turned and gave a little smile; she meant it as playful riffing and nothing more. Neither of them had said it, but Ridahne knew that things were not the same between them now as they had been. They were stronger together now, and felt that for her part at least she understood her partner better now. And she felt more understood, herself.