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[rathercommon]

crystal | letter | cease and desist notices slipped under her door | action

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[shri]

[ She doesn't look away, doesn't give her the space to misunderstand it this time for other than what it is.

But perhaps, misunderstanding herself, the purpose of Kitty's questions. ]

Because my life is not worth yours. It never has been, and it never will be. I would give anything to see you safe, anything.

[rathercommon]

No.

[ She shakes her head with too much force. ]

Not - Not that bit.

[shri]

[ She pauses, her mouth open to say something more, looking back, curious this time more than the wind taken out of her. ]

That I care for you like my own family?

[rathercommon]

[ A single tense shrug of confirmation. ]

[shri]

[ And that softens something. Not something that could be pinned to anything directly if another were to look. Her shoulders lowering, the slight pull in the corner of her mouth. ]

You risked your life for me, Kitty, did you expect that to mean nothing to me?

[rathercommon]

I don't know.

[ Kitty shrugs, her shoulders tight. There's a pinched quality to her face - something halfway between discomfort and uncertainty. ]

If it makes us anything, it makes us comrades. Not family.

[shri]

No, [ she shakes her head. ] comrades fight for each other. They kill for each other. I have had many.

[ But there is a difference, cut and clean and determined. ] But those that would sacrifice so much for each other? That is more, Kitty, that is family. In more than blood, but by action, and you will never find truer than by such things.

[rathercommon]

[ A short, sharp laugh, one that's bitter and unpleasant. ]

That's not really my experience with family.

[shri]

It should have been. That is what family is supposed to be. [ Her mouth pinches, an unhappy turn. ]

Will you tell me of them, your mother and father?

[rathercommon]

[ Kitty offers a tense shrug in response. She studiously does not look at Lakshmi. ]

Not really my mum and dad any longer. They made that pretty clear. Handed me over to the government to save their sorry skins and told me I wasn't the girl they'd raised. So there's nothing to talk about.

[shri]

[ Though she doesn't, Lakshmi certainly does. Her eyes fixed on her, watching how she moves, shifts her body. Doesn't turn towards her, doesn't box her or force something upon her by way of little movements.

But she watches, with slow blinks, she watches. ]

Then their short-sightedness is their loss. But it will not be mine. I ask nothing from you, Kitty, I am not here for you to call me your Babaji, but I know... I know I never got to tell my own Devi, as often as I should, how I care for her. I will not make the same mistake, now.

[rathercommon]

[ Her hands clench together harder. But there's no real escalation in words, or in tone; her voice remains pinched, but grows no worse. ]

I don't need a mum. I've never needed one, really. When people have told me what to do and who to be, it's just held me back. I'm not going to take it from anyone ever again.

[ But it's not as harsh as it might be. It's not a rejection; it's just a warning. ]

[shri]

I think I learned that well enough. That horse still deserves your apology, by the way.

[ When will she let it die? Never, apparently. But it isn't goading or demanding, it's laughing more than anything else. ]

But Kitty, you are a singular young woman, and you don't need me to tell you that, I am sure. [ She leans, near, her hand cupping against Kitty's cheek to turn her face towards her. Had to get this out now, or it will never happen. ] I will be glad, one day, to see what you will accomplish, and to let you know that whatever you need, you only need call for me. I will be there.

[rathercommon]

[ Kitty lets her face be turned, though with some discomfort. Indeed, there's discomfort on her face, still, in spite of these reassurances, in spite of Lakshmi's laughter. This is a wound that's deep - and fresh, too. ]

Then - That's what comrades do for one another. I'll accept it, if you'll accept it from me, too.

[shri]

[ A wound that she must take care of, like any wound. The soul can never be cut, struck at, the soul can never be harmed.

She believed wholeheartedly that, once, but life taught her otherwise. How many times the soul could be wounded, cut apart, strewn into pieces. It had been her father that taught her how to deal with such pains, it had been the love and care of others that showed her how to mend such tears. ]

Of course, Kitty. [ Tentatively, she leans in and presses a firm, affectionate kiss, to the top of Kitty's brow. Warm and sure. ] I will be here for you, no matter what else comes.

[rathercommon]

[ Kitty makes a little noise in response to that kiss - a quiet, uncertain little grunt - but she doesn't pull away, and she certainly doesn't rebuff the gesture. She does rub at the spot when Lakshmi finishes, wrinkling her nose very slightly. It's not exactly the most effective set of reactions for a girl who wants to be taken seriously. ]

Anyway. Good. So, then - you agree. If you're in danger, I've got the right to help you.

[shri]

[ Her eyebrow lifts, if not exactly for the petulance over affection honestly given.

Then certainly for how the twist turns on those words. ]

Is that so?

[rathercommon]

[ A short shrug of confirmation. ]

You agreed that we're comrades. That's not a one-way relationship. They help each other. So unless you're saying you won't step in to help save my life...

[ She lifts her eyebrows pointedly, fully expecting an immediate - and strong - denial of that. ]

[shri]

[ Lakshmi hums. Because of course, there are a half dozen reasons why she would not dare let Kitty put herself in harm's way if it came to it. ]

Well, if that's the case. Then you are to start training with me, immediately. [ A pause, thinking. About the state of this room, and the way Kitty otherwise lived. ] And come to dinner once a week.

[rathercommon]

[ Training she gets. But - ]

Why dinner?

[shri]

I've seen how you eat.

[ This is the face of a mother judging you, Kitty. Unacceptable, it is utterly unacceptable. ] A healthy meal will not poison you, you know.

[rathercommon]

[ w h a t ]

All right, first of all, there's nothing wrong with how I eat.

[shri]

[ Stares unblinkingly straight into her soul. ]

When was the last time you ate vegetables, Kitty?

[rathercommon]

[ came out to have a good time but feeling so attacked right now ]

Potatoes are a vegetable. Besides, how am I to know? It's not like I'm keeping some - loving journal of everything I've ever eaten.

[shri]

[ One.

Goddamn.

Eyebrow raise. ]