[ It's a big, big room, vaguely dome-shaped, with mirrors completely surrounding the walls, and working up the cieling, as well. They all show different things.] * Ada walks in, looking around cautiously. She pauses for a moment to look down at the ruby ring. [ The ring, it is shiny. ] * Ada picks a mirror close to the center and walks over to it, looking in. * Yu-Mei args. [ The mirror is presently showing a scene that appears to be high in the mountains. ] * Ada rubs at her ring and studies it again. She takes a deep, almost nervous, breath and lets it out. "Well, if you want to help me talk to her, now's a good time." [ Suddenly, you're sitting in the scene on the other side of the mirror. You stand on the edge of a mountain stream babbling along peacefully. A scarlet-haired woman sits next to you. "Hello, Ada." ] * Ada starts, but doesn't make a sound. She blinks at the woman. "Mother?" [ "Yes?" ] I- you- * Ada stops, then gives a weak smile. "Hi," she finishes lamely. [ Your mother smiles warmly. "Please, have a seat." ] * Ada glances down at the ground, then sits carefully next to her would-be mother. [ What is on your mind, Ada?" ] I'm not sure... Questions. A lot of questions. [ "Of course. You've had an... interesting time, recently." ] * Ada lets out a huff. "I've had an interesting life." [ Your mother is silent for a moment, then; "Would you tell me about it? From your point of view?" ] * Ada fidgets for a moment. "All of it?" She almost sounds scared. "I mean... I don't have the kindest point of view. Of anyone, I suppose." [ "Oh." She frowns. "Well... if you don't wish to discuss it, I suppose I... understand." ] * Ada takes a deep breath. "But it probably helps to talk about it to someone instead of paper and instruments." [ "I doubt it could hurt. And I do wonder how you have been faring. Remember that I was rather enclosed for some years." ] * Ada smiles weakly. "That'd be the other thing." Well, if you know anything about my Lady, you would know she's not the... easiest person to get along with. But she did see to it that I was well taken care of, given the best education available in a number of arts, the most important being magical. * Ada folds her hands in her lap. "I have a knack for it." [ Lydia smiles. "Of course you do. I always knew you would be a bright girl." ] * Ada studies her hands, unsure of how to take the praise. "Anyway, I guess it wasn't... bad. I mean, there were some times when I hated my Lady. And the world, and," she hesitates for a moment, "you. I'm not sure if it's justified, or if it's just what I learned to believe." [ Lydia leans and gives you a hug. Despite her feeling slightly insubstantial - almost as though you're being embraced by a warm cloud - it is comforting nonetheless. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, Ada. You know that now." ] * Ada smiles a little. "Yeah, I guess I do." [ Lydia raises an eyebrow, smiling slightly. "You guess you do?" ] * Ada shrugs. "I don't know. It's a lot to take in." [ She nods. "Have you discussed this with your Lady yet?" ] No... no. I'm not sure how she would take it. Or even if I should. [ "You probably should. If you believe she cares at all about you." ] * Ada nods slowly. "Yeah." She lets out a sigh. "I'm just..." She trails off. [ "Just what?" ] It's nothing. [ Lydia frowns, then shrugs. "If you say so." ] * Ada flicks her eyes up to Lydia. "I don't like showing weakness, all right? It should be fairly obvious." [ "But why not? Do you believe that everyone you meet is seeking some breach in your armor to exploit?" There is no sense of reproach or disapproval in her voice, however. ] It's safer to assume everyone's your enemy. That way, when they are, you're not caught completely off guard, and they don't know exactly what they're dealing with. [ "But what of your friends, Ada? Do you show them no weakness, as well? Do you allow those who love you to know you?" ] * Ada frowns. "What friends?" [ "Have you no friends? What of those who fought for your life at the cave of angry souls?" ] * Ada looks almost angry at that. "They shouldn't have been there. I don't-" She stops, and her voice softens slightly. "I don't know." [ "Do you wish not to have friends, Ada?" ] * Ada tightens her grip on her own hand. "I don't know, all right?" [ "I'm sorry. I... shouldn't pester you so, but it's just..." she sighs. ] * Ada glances up at her. "What?" [ She smiles sadly. "I suppose I'm making up for lost time. I wish to begin in on all the motherly worries and nagging that I've missed out on. I want to ensure that you are well." ] * Ada blinks. "Oh." She considers that. I am... well. All considered. * Ada smiles faintly. "Just fought a war and a demon and all." [ "Well, then all considered you seem to be doing well." She smirks. "No friends, but no scars, either." ] * Ada rubs at her forehead, where the demon touched. "Yeah. No scars." [ Lydia looks at your forehead. ] [ And the GM forgets weather any scars were left or not. ] (Um, it was "carved" through, but you never specified.) [ She frowns, and rubs your forehead. "The demon attempted to taint you. Luckily, she was interrupted." ] * Ada shies away, slightly, but lets her mother do that. "I had a spell prepared." [ She nods, withdrawing her hand. "If there is any lingering sensation, it should fade within another day or two." ] * Ada smiles with relief. "So it's not permanent?" [ She shakes her head. "No, it isn't. If I were stronger right now, I could perhaps erase it altogether." ] It's all right. If it's not permanent, and the effects aren't serious, I'll just wait it out. [ She nods. ] So... * Ada trails off, turning her attention to Lydia. [ "Yes?" ] How have you been? I know it's a strange question, but. [ She smirks. "Well, I haven't gotten out much lately. Fortunately, the ring *is* rather cozy." ] * Ada laughs a bit at that. "Making an uncomfortable living space for yourself would be foolish." [ "Well, yes. I'm rather new at building homes for discorporate spirits, however." ] Good point. [ Lydia yawns. ] [ "Ada, I fear I cannot keep this up very much longer. I'm sorry." ] * Ada sighs. "All right. We can talk later?" [ She smiles. "Of course. Hopefully we will be able to talk longer as I grow stronger, and more accustomed to this." ] [ End session! ]