Mother Love

[abugslife]

[News spread quickly in Unity Group. General Mukantagara, the leader of the Gebian attack force that caused so much damage to Sparta, turned out to be Hetepheres' daughter. Nobody knew... Up until the end, when Hetepheres killed her.]

[After the fight, the Gebian general can be found in her office, sitting behind the desk - the room is mostly dark, the light is not even on. Her terminal is, but she's not really looking at it - just staring somewhere with a distant gaze. Until someone enters or contacts her, at least.]

...Yes?

Comments

[abugslife]

Of course I noticed.

Are you sure Unity Group is a right place for you?

[jianai]

I have my doubts.

But... I try not to forget. I came here to seek protection. No, rather - I needed to be surrounded by people who did not need protection. I try to help only because the alternative would be to sit idly and do nothing.

Please don't be concerned for me. Whatever happens to me during your combat missions, I can take it. I just do not want to be a burden or an obstacle.

[abugslife]

Review the data from the battle, paying additional attention to your own actions.

You are definitely not a burden.

[jianai]

I'll do that. It's embarassing, but that is a part of a learning experience.

[To say something like that, even though the times were really hard for her...]

Hetepheres - thank you.

[abugslife]

Do not thank me. Just do what you think you should do.

[jianai]

Do what I think I should do? If you say so.

[Ren walks up to the desk, spreads their arms wide and gives Hetepheres a comforting hug.]

[abugslife]

[No physical reaction of any kind. The Gebian general just sits there for a while quietly.]

...Are you done?

[jianai]

Yes.

[Ren takes a step back, looking a bit sheepish.]

Hetepheres, I know you have an image to uphold. As a Gebian general, you are supposed to be a paragon of virtue in every living moment.

But if you want to open yourself up every once in a while, no one will blame you.

If you don't mind, I will be on my way now.

[abugslife]

Please, do not treat me like a delicate flower who has to put on a strong face of an ice queen, but becomes better when she finally lets it all out of her heart. This is not how it works in reality.

...Take care, Ren. Talking to you helped a little.

[jianai]

No, you are not fragile. You are a very strong person.

But this kind of things helps even for strong people. It's definitely more healthy than keeping it all in forever.

Well then. I will see you later.