- Affiliated members are expected to uphold the values and ideals of the Holding.
- Affiliated members can expect the support of the Holding, to see their interests and well-being kept in mind.
- Affiliated members can expect to be subsidized by the Holding to a minor degree, while tithing a minor portion of their income in return.
- Affiliated members have no requirement of long-term commitment. They are not beholden to their Holding the way a retainer is.
~ * ~
Anya took a deep breath and finally pushed herself away from Seb. She didn't want to move away, not really, but she felt the need to move. Standing she started to pace this way and that before heading towards the Holding.
She knew Seb was following, his thoughts filled with concern and curiosity. He didn't push, didn't pry, he didn't need to. She was going to tell him, going to let him know, she just couldn't, not curled up on the couch.
Leading him into the training room she spun, lashing out even as she shifted into her War Husk. She didn't think about it, didn't give him any clear warning, didn't hesitate to vent her feelings.
Seb wasn't there, he'd already danced aside, following her spin so perfectly that he still stood just behind her shoulder. She didn't stop, didn't slow, she kept attacking, kept trying to land a blow. She never did, she never connected despite his never leaving her side. She was stronger than him, faster than him, more talented in close range, but he wasn't fighting, he wasn't trying to win.
She snarled as the tears finally slid down her cheeks. He was there, in her thoughts, dancing with her as she flailed. He could have fought back, could have played to his advantages, pushed them both into a ritual that was as thrilling as it was exhausting. They could match each other so well it looked and felt choreographed.
Finally he did more than slip around her blows, finally he actually moved. One moment she was balanced, she was positioned to launch another wave of blows at him, the next he'd kissed her, the lightest touch of his lips breaking through her fugue. He was gone before her thoughts caught up, behind her as she wobbled.
He nudged her, sent her stumbling into a training dummy. Her reflexes caught her, stopped her from looking the fool. Her anger had a target, an object that would remain in place long enough for her to take it apart. She screamed as it shattered, they would need to get Yshe to replace them with models designed for their level.
Her thoughts cleared, she turned to apologize and found herself ducking as Seb went on the offensive. He was taking things more calmly, helping her find a rhythm and ground herself in the moment. They sparred, they danced, their thoughts blended until she could finally explain.
My father gave her the same hint.
He didn't answer, she'd already told him that, she'd already mentioned her father. She was still struggling, still caught up in the emotions.
I look like him, I remind her of him. She sees him when she looks at me, she sent. She said it hurt to remember.
She didn't want to remember?
She loved him, at least she says she did. She didn't say everything, didn't explain how they met, where they met, she didn't tell me much.
She spun past him, their bodies as close as their thoughts, their fighting styles finding harmony despite failing to find purchase.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
She seemed like she wanted to say more. She started to apologize, to explain herself before she suddenly had to leave. Her Affinity had been running wild, it settled and she ran off.
She nearly struck him, only the last moment shift of his head turning a solid blow into an embrace as he met her, letting her press against him nearly as firmly as she had on the couch.
I think she found her resonance. I think she went to advance, she sent. But she ran off. She started to explain, to be there, and then she vanished. She couldn't even finish explaining things.
They sank to the floor as her shoulders shook. Her anger was gone, her pain was fading. She could understand what her mother had done, she just couldn't accept it, couldn't let go of the years of frustration, not yet.
So your looks are from your father's side? Seb sent after a long moment.
Yes? But I've never seen anyone who- she trailed off, realization filling the band. Fay can look.
We can ask, I doubt she'll say no.
~ * ~
Anya had just finished setting the table when she felt Seb step back into the Holding. He'd gone to let Fay know that she was safe, apologize for rushing off, and ask her if they could have the house to themselves for the night. It wasn't that Anya didn't want to see her, didn't want to tell her the few details she now had about her father, see what she might be able to share. She wanted that, she intended to do all that, tomorrow.
Seb caught up to her as she checked on dinner, wrapping his arms around her and letting her lean back against him. She didn't want to move, didn't feel the need to be anywhere but where she was. They had to finish cooking though, they couldn't stand here forever.
I tried to hurt you, she sent.
You didn't.
I tried to, I wasn't thinking, I didn't care. I just needed to lash out.
I know, the training dummy knows.
She giggled and pried his arms loose. A few more touches and they could dish out, they could enjoy dinner.
Yshe is going to tease us about that, she sent. Only caring about more challenging combat.
I don't think we actually used them since we started Diving, he sent back. I hadn't realized how fragile they were.
You couldn't even make it rock last time you hit it, she teased.
You barely could, he agreed. And now you turned it into confetti in a moment.
She started to fill her plate as he did the same.
It was too bland to be confetti, needed more sparkles.
I'll ask Yshe to fill the next one with sparkling confetti, so we can celebrate being able to destroy it.
She smiled at the thought of Yshe grumbling about the request. Destroying the dummy had been extremely satisfying in the moment, had given her what she'd needed even if she couldn't have explained the need until then.
Seb had understood, maybe not fully, definitely not the specifics, but he had given her the outlet she needed. She wouldn't have forgiven herself if she had actually hurt him. She'd gone too far, not considered the consequences, or even the actions themselves.
Stop that, he sent as he sat down to eat. It isn't your fault.
It is though, I should have handled it better.
Maybe? he answered. Nothing bad happened though.
It could have.
Anya, something bad could happen every time we spar, it nearly has a few times. I knew you needed to lash out when you led me to the hall. I could feel the emotions wanting out.
I love you, she sent. There really wasn't anything else to say. He was right, they took risks constantly, and she had held it together until they reached the one place that was designed for combat that was also completely safe. She hadn't warned him, but at the same time she had.
I know, he answered. She could feel his invisible grin as she started to react, only to hear his words echo in her thoughts before she could. I love you too.
They finished the meal in silence. They didn't need to say anything, they knew how the other felt. They didn't try to explain or understand, just be in the moment, be together. The bond was enough to ensure they both knew how important they were, the band let their emotions and attention flow freely.
They found their way to the couch, they put something on the screen that they both knew they'd neither remember nor miss. They settled in together, an echo of their earliest evenings. They spent so much of their time pushing and on edge, so much of their time moving from one moment to the next, enjoying each one together.
Tonight they spent their time doing nothing, saying nothing, thinking of nothing. It could have been boring, it could have felt like a waste of time, a pointless delay when they could have been pushing a little faster.
It wasn't. It was perfect.
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