Blood from Stone [AU]

[Coquette Blacquin]

"There is likewise no comparison between our skill and training," she whispers. "I failed."

[Shannon zi'Marass]

''I think you do your brother a disservice. Nyra doesn't graduate people from guard training eight months ahead of schedule- and skipping a full rank- to just anyone,'' Shannon says archly. 

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I... hadn't heard that," she admits. "Only that he was doing very well."

[Shannon zi'Marass]

''His last review- which I of course didn't read, as that would be illegal- was very glowing. Full of phrases like 'highly driven in the sort of way that we need more of' and 'understands procedure and regulations- as well as when innovation and initiative are needed.'  He's on record as owing his success to his sister, inspiration and motivation. He loves you a great deal, Cin.'' She pauses, then laughs softly. ''And thinking on it now, I just realized- he has a report in his file, a paper he wrote during training, about how the guard is neglecting the power that reputation and presentation can have on efficiency. From the list of those that requested access to a copy, it's getting some very elevated attention. Can't imagine where he got the ideas in it...''

[Coquette Blacquin]

She smiles, blushing a bit. "No idea."

[Shannon zi'Marass]

''Take pride in that. You didn't do worse than him. He did well in large part because of you. You helped shape and inspire him. That's a form of power too. Be a leader. Train, lead and shape others, let them carry on the fight where you can't reach.''

[Coquette Blacquin]

"I... I will think on it," she says reluctantly, swallowing. And she plans to -- later, when Vig's death isn't so fresh. When she doesn't worry she failed him too.

[Shannon zi'Marass]

''Thank you. I now it's... hard. To think of a new path. I...'' She swallows thickly, resting her head against Cindy's and closing her eyes. ''I'm struggling. To... to accept that I... that the life I was... that maybe I can have more than revenge and cold, cruel satisfaction.''

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Shan," she whispers, stroking Shannon's hair gently. "I'm sorry I didn't... I knew you were in town, but I didn't think you had heard of my death, didn't think you'd been hurting all this time."

[Shannon zi'Marass]

''It's not your fault. You... I didn't exactly go around explaining why I turned into a heartless bitch all of a sudden.'' She sighs a little. ''And it wasn't... just you after all. Mostly maybe. Or... or maybe... It might be better to say you were the last pebble, the spark. You dying, the way your death was treated... that started things truly moving. But the fuel had been collecting since before I was born.''

[Coquette Blacquin]

"Tell me about it?" asks Coquette quietly. "What was it really like for you, those years we were apart?"

[Shannon zi'Marass]

Shannon hesitates, body tensing as she struggles to answer. "I, well, at first, it was... I was just upset at being taken away from my best and only friend. I could barely recall much of Nrya really, I had been so young. Mostly just memories of mom. A few lessons, seeing the Lantern, Astea's beauty temple, Built with Grace and Elegence and snippets of plays or show. Memories with weight. But... with then way Daddy Dearest reacted I... Got worse. Quickly."

[Coquette Blacquin]

The action is impulsive, born of the desperate need to comfort, the long relationship with Liz: she leans up and presses a firm kiss to Shannon's lips.

[Shannon zi'Marass]

Shannon gasps softly, then pours herself into the kiss, loving, needing, craving the connection, the intimacy. When they finally have to part for air, Shannon groans. ''Gods Cin, you are... a delightful distraction. Too distracting. You... you deserve to hear all of it. I want you to know all of it,'' she whispers against Cindy's lips. ''Shortly after we got back, daddy dearest... He... I wanted to get his attention, make him care. So I snuck out...''

[Smith Family]

At the door, Jaina smiles faintly and turns back to the kitchen with a tray of food. I'll let them talk. That sounds far more important than having dinner at a reasonable hour. I still have some... reservations about that girl with all her airs but... they do seem to suit one another. Definitely going to be keeping a much closer eye on this relationship, poor things. Seems like real mothers are the only thing rarer than a hero, unless maybe good parents. I should speak with Seli...

Humming to herself, Jaina sets the tray down and grins. After I find Kyle and... let him know he's fully forgiven.