Is This a Dream? [Xenon]

[Vyn]

Vana, briefly, caught a look of tenderness that briefly softened the Yarrow Mantis's intense but beautiful eyes. The butterfly almost hesitated, recognizing a sort of familiarity within that gaze, but before she thought to question it Sadie's eyes brightened and she was not sure if she'd seen anything at all. Gently she laid one of her hands over Sadie's own, the rest devoted to supporting her little boy. "Nor I you." There were very few things that made her truly happy anymore, Eddy was one of them... Perhaps Sadie was another? It was not her Beloved but it was a taste of a dream that she had not believed was possible, Vana could be happy to have that dream recognized.

The walk was pleasant, full of idle chatter and a great deal of Eddy's persistent talking. He loved to be the center of attention, the fault of a bit of spoiling on Vana's behalf, but his chatter was sweet and innocent.

Entering the suite, Vana's thoughts instantly fell to Lysaras again. The only other Queen's chamber that she had ever been in was Ly's and this room... it was certainly befitting a Queen though it was such an opposite of her lover's favored hues. It brought a sad little smile to her features, but the sadness quickly passed as she took a seat on the couch in the sitting room. "Tea is delightful, thank you."

At the mention of juice Eddy instantly perked his folded ears and his tails wagged eagerly. "Apple juice! I love apples!"

Vana smiled, stroking her son's hair before setting him down to sit on the couch beside her. "What do you say?"

The pup paused, blue-purple eyes hesitant before he got the hint and turned back to Sadie. "Thank you very much, Miss Sadie!"

[carcinoGeneticist]

Hearing a child who, despite all outward appearances, seemed to be an utterly cheerful and lovely sort of boy put a smile on Sadie's face, even as it brought a touch of sadness. She hadn't given up on having children of her own, of course, but until she'd met Parvana the chances of it had seemed rather low. After all, the butterfly had successfully had a child of her own, though only one... And that was a success. It wasn't something that she could indulge in considering now, of course, not with all the changes that lay ahead of her... But in the future, it seemed a bright and distinct possibility.

As the pair settled in, Sadie eagerly went about preparing tea and sending down for apple juice for Eddy. The water on to boil she returned to the sitting aread, absently running her hands together. "You're very welcome, Eddy. If there's anything at all that either of you would like, please don't hesitate to ask.[/b]" her antennae swiveled forward and she smiled brightly. "After all, you're my guests, and I won't leave you wanting for anything.[/b]"

The insect settled herself in one of the chairs, lounging on it in the only way her curious body shape would allow, with the mantis claws serving to prop her up ever so slightly.

"Have the pair of you lived in the Capital for long?[/b]" she asked, by way of starting up conversation that extended more than just shock and awe over meeting someone else who was an insect. Besides, she was genuinely curious about what Parvana and her charming child had done with their lives, and how they'd delt with the oddity of being what they were. Feeling that sort of connection with someone... It was and incredible feeling.

Part of Sadie hoped she would learn something about the boy's appearance, as well, and she tilted her head curiously.

[Vyn]

Eddy was excited. He loved juice, and he loved seeing Momma happy and the pretty bug-lady was very nice, making Momma happy and getting him Juice at the same time as well, so he liked her a great deal. The pup shifted and scratched at his binding briefly, toying with the weight as he squirmed to get comfortable.

When all was settled and the tea was beginning to boil, Parvana blushed and nodded to the Queen's kindness. It was a little familiar to the first day she'd met Lysaras. How long had they sat and talked about simple things that evening?

She smiled to herself, that sadness reappearing. Eddy caught it in an instant, as if he was used to predicting these moments, and he used an overzealous tug on his binding to cause himself to knock unceremoniously against the butterfly. Vana blinked, snapping back to the present and her precious little memento who now laid sprawled adorably across her lap. So precious... The sadness retreated for the eager pleasure in the puppy's eyes and she looked back up to Sadie once more.

"Not long, really... The pace has always been a bit too... busy for me." Vana had always lived the quiet life, always on the outskirts of this or that... Never in the middle of things like she was now. That was why she'd taken such a fondness for the quiet little parks that no one seemed to visit. "But it works out enough well since I left the Courts," Oh Lysaras... "and it gives Eddy plenty of room for schooling and making friends." And for distracting herself from that horrid depression that wished to consume her day after day.

Eddy grinned, pawing at his mother with those adorable butterfly paws. "I love making friends!"

[carcinoGeneticist]

Sadie's head inclined to the side, blinking as she considered what Parvana had said. Her comment about living in the courts had not gone unnoticed, and she began to wonder more strongly if perhaps Eddy didn't just bear a coincidental resemblance to the late Queen Lysaras. Then, she nodded slightly in understanding. "It does seem like that's a problem here, yes.[/b]" she responded. She'd only been in the Capital for a week or two, and already she'd noticed it was nearly impossible for her to avoid unwanted attention. Someone was always trying to sell her something when she walked down the street or otherwise impress her because of her rank...

And she could wear a human form to try and disperse some of the attentions, whereas Parvana was stuck getting the full brunt of the wonder and occassional horror of the people around her.

"But yes, schooling and friends are very important.[/b]" the woman beamed at puppy and butterfly. When the water boiled, she exused herself to finish preparations for tea, bringing a cup of it to her guest. "It's still very hot, but I hope you find it to your liking. It's a blend I drank often in the Villa...[/b]" drinking it always brought up somewhat unwelcome memories, bittersweet to the Mantis, and so it wasn't often that she did. It seemed that it would appeal to the butterfly, however, and so she decided to push baCK her own depressing thoughts.

Then she returned to her seat, holding the mug and letting the glorious heat seep through her chitinous fingers, warming her hands wonderfully. Back to the issue at hand, then... There just didn't seem to be a good way to approach the subject, and so she did with a certain bluntness that her Diamond charm was activated to assist with. "I... Forgive my intruding, but... You said you'd lived in the Courts before?[/b]"

[Vyn]

Vana shook her head lightly. Problem was an understatement, an epidemic of loud people that enjoyed sticking their noses in other people's business was more like it... but for Eddy...

When Sadie returned with the tea, Parvana held the warm cup in her hands and sighed softly. She could wait to drink it, for now she was simply pleased with the warmth and the delightful aroma. "Oh, I'm sure it will be... My father was particularly fond of Villa tea in my youth, it's a bit sentimental." Her thoughts flushed briefly, those blue scrawled letters burning into her mind. Horrible foreshadowing that one, simple word... The thoughts were cast off by a question from Sadie.

The Courts...

Instantly her gaze shifted to Eddy, locked on that little memento of her happiest years... on the undoubted reason as to why Sadie was so curious about her involvement in the Courts. How could anyone not see who this boy's other parent was? It was easier to see than even his relation to her.

Eddy blinked as he caught his mother staring again, and she had that look. It was the look she always had when she was missing Mommy Ly but making that look go away was always the hardest, because Mama could either become more sad or cheer up all together. The little puppy made a soft yipping sound and licked his mother's hand, he was reward with a small smile but only partial relief from the butterfly's sorrowful eyes.

"I... Yes, I was the late Queen's personal attendant for a while, as I worked to obtain my Jack." And my King, so that I could be hers always and forever... The butterfly's heart clenched. "I left after the change of power," bah! if you could call it that! Butchery, pure and simple! Lysaras had attempted to relent, she had... Her eyes briefly filled with tears before she could blink them back. "Too many memories..." The butterfly trailed off, her heart thumping in her chest as she retreated into the sweet warmth of her tea. It would buy her a few seconds of silence where she could attempt to keep her voice from betraying the depth of her despair.

(Sorry if that's a little fail, >_> Vana's muse was being stubborn about replying for some reason X_<)

[carcinoGeneticist]

It was true, the puppy did hold a large portion of Sadie's interest in those lovely chitin-covered paws of his. But it had less to do with Lysaras herself in the mantid's mind then it did with the woman who had taken control. As the butterfly spoke, Sadie went perfectly still, her only motion the imperceptable trembling of her fingers that increased until she needed to set her tea cup aside. She then rested her hands in her lap. For a moment, the expression on her face was a mix of emotions, but then it smoothed itself over as if there had never been anything but a general pang of regret mixed with guilt for even asking about such a delicate subject.

On the inside, however, the Queen raged. Donalda.. So the bitch would ruin the life of what was possibly the only other insect alive, it seemed.

Sadie wanted to kill her.

But she hid this, instead crossing the room smoothly and kneeling before Parvana, extending a hand to rest on the woman's shoulder. Her brows furrowed, the corners of her beak drooping and her antennae falling back. She gave Eddy a small reassuring look, and then turned her attention back to the lovely butterfly. "I understand.[/b]" she replied softly, looking into the other woman's eyes as she gently rubbed the shoulder. "And why stay with that killer when you could bring the good memories with you, right?[/b]"

By good memories, she was clearly referring to the sweet pup still laying in his mother's lap. Now that she had all the pieces of the puzzle, the boy seemed even more a wonder than before. Part butterfly, and all that was left of a legacy, in a way.

"Donalda... she's good at taking things away, isn't she?[/b]" a deep sadness entered the woman's expression, and she looked aside. She still had trouble thinking about how things had ended between them. She had hoped time would make it easier, but all the Wolverine had done was make Sadie feel more justified in her hatred.

[Vyn]

Vana hadn't noticed the changing of emotions on Sadie's face, too lost in her own to immediately notice, but she did notice when the Mantis rose and came to kneel before her. The butterfly's expression clouded with a mixture of sorrow and thankfulness and too many other things for even Parvana to understand fully.

Eddy himself, was at a complete and utter loss. Everyone seemed so sad suddenly... The puppy issued the thinnest of whines and sank down a bit, ears down as he watched the two interacting.

"Yes," Vana murmured, trying to smile softly although she felt a sudden sting of pressing tears against the backs of her eyes. "Yes, it was so much better to leave with that... woman... there." Really, she hadn't had a choice. Toli wouldn't let her stay and sulk in her misery like she had been, which was truly a good thing. And Eddy... he was all she needed of her 'ties' to the Court now that Lysaras was gone.

And then Sadie mentioned that horrible badger, by name, as if she'd known her and oh... that sorrow was so familiar to her. The butterfly didn't know what to say, but she knew they had a common hatred for that Wolverine who currently held the throne. "I'm so sorry, Sadie..." Oh Suits, what could Donalda have taken from Sadie that it so obviously stood on par with Vana's own loss. A very piece of her soul had died with that murder, for that was all it could honestly be called, and it seemed that Sadie had undoubtedly experienced something similar.

[carcinoGeneticist]

Rather suddenly, Sadie drew up, pulling butterfly and puppy into a sure and swift hug, one of her arms around each. Being so close to both, she took even more care than normal to ensure her fighting-claws were safely tucked aside. It felt odd to be wearing this form when there was no danger, and the tip of a claw twitched briefly before going still once more. Then, she pulled back from the hug, simply looking up at the butterfly.

"I owe you my sincerest apologies, Parvana,[/b]" she said softly, then looked at the boy. "And to you as well, Eddy. It was never my intent to bring up such painful memories for either of you. And I lost nothing that could possibly compare.[/b]" her expression went soft, then, and she glanced aside. After all, their relationship's collapse was equally her fault, but the loss of the children she'd been carrying... It was far, far easier to hate the Wolverine for it than to blame what she was for ruining her life in another way.

"Please, don't apologize to me,[/b]" she replied quickly, letting a small smile worm its way onto her face, though her antennae still drooped ever so slightly. A knock on the door took the woman's attention and she quickly answered, having a short conversation with the man who'd brought Eddy's drink. It was made short by the Queen asking him to leave in a soft and dangerous tone, drawing herself to her full height and staring him down before he could worm his way into the room to stare at all of the insects. Then, carrying the juice and a set of menus, she returned and offered the menus to her guests and presented the juice to the puppy with a small smile.

Food. Food would be good. "I feel as though you made the correct choice for yourself and for Eddy. Perhaps... If the Capitol is too busy for you, should you decide a move is in order...[/b]" a thoughtful expression entered the woman's eyes. "The Villa is extremely quiet, and... on a more selfish note, it is closer to the Court of Diamonds. As it is, I would be honored if you would consider keeping in touch with me via letters or some other means.[/b]" She smiled, looking a little hopeful then.

[Vyn]

For a moment Vana felt as if she could die. Her heart thundered a miserable sort of rhythm in her chest and her eyes briefly flooded with tears that would be wet against Sadie's skin but invisible to the little canine who sat beside her. His head was buried against Sadie, pondering how similar she was to his mother and how he was certain that mother was crying again, because she was shuddering in that way she did when she didn't want him to know that she was.

The little boy's purple eyes tried hard to peer through Sadie and see his mother, but the mantis was a firm distraction... and very nice, despite having made Momma cry.

"Momma..." he let the word out in a thin whine, wanting her to look at him. When she looked at him, she stopped crying.

The little whine, and the shift that announced Sadie was moving, quickly stopped Vana's tears and the trembling butterfly wiped a hand across her face to hide the evidence as she sat back and swept up her son with her lower arms. Oh what misery this emptiness was! "It's quite alright, Sadie... These things come up, they do, and I would rather talk about her and have it be painful than to feel nothing and forget." She leaned down, kissing Eddy's head and whispering soft reassurances for a moment.

When Sadie returned from the door, there was a brief and wonderful respite where the little canine appeared to completely forget his sorrows and indulge himself entirely in the wonderful juice. Yipping and wagging his tail in thanks, the child sank against his mother and indulged in his drink while the adults spoke.

"I would love to keep in touch, Sadie... I couldn't imagine losing contact with someone so wonderful as yourself. And the villa... I do agree, it's beyond gorgeous and very peaceful." The butterfly eyed her son. "It might be a perfect place to go." She had visited many times in her youth, as it was very close to the outskirts of Corvistowne where she had grown up and, on the many occasions that her father ventured into Morganberry, they oftentimes passed through, or even stayed in, The Villas.

[carcinoGeneticist]

As she made herself comfortable once more, the mantis thought to herself. There had been so many changes in her life since Donnie had left, so many small alterations to her personality and what she did with her everyday life. There was the sadness of the loss, the regret, and the rage - of course, this was an entirely different situation than Parvana's. Donnie was still alive, after all, she hadn't been taken away from Sadie by some murderer acting in the name of justice and Suit Pride. But the pair of them had something in common, something that they could bond with.

They both hated the Wolverine for taking something away from them.

But she didn't let any of these thoughts show on her face, instead simply focusing on a geneal expression of support. A softness was in her eyes. Then, she glanced back at the puppy, happy for the distraction he provided her. Such joy, such a childlike glee towards something so simple as a cooled glass of apple juice. "Looks like that's pretty good, Eddy,[/b]" she said with a happy smile. "I'm glad you're enjoying it.[/b]"

She was, too. Her attention returned to Parvana, and a swift blush of pleasure marked her cheeks but was then gone. "I would very much like that. I once spent a lot of time in the Villa... I haven't had a good reason to visit for a long time.[/b]" then she smiled happily. "Have you ever been to the Gardens?[/b]"