You wanted it, you got it! Thanks to everyone who responded; I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. This next part, however, changes the mood a little, but remember, this is only the beginning. As soon as I get some good ideas, I'll start on part three, but in the meantime, here's part two of "Reminiscing About You".
And by the way, I agree. My songwriting sucks.
They were supposed to eat in silence. That was how it was for as long as Aisha could remember, and as far as she was concerned, that was fine with her. It was the only time of the day when her father Misao was present to acknowledge her existence. It was the only time of day when her mother Lyxiana was too preoccupied with keeping appearances in to scrutinize any aspect of Aisha's appearance, schoolwork, and especially her somewhat carefree attitude. It was the only time of day when she could enjoy her food and think about things without having to tune out her parents' veiled insults directed at each other.
While Misao cut into his salmon filet with the precision of a surgeon and Lyxiana curtly ordered Caela to bring a fresher pitcher of milk, Aisha nibbled impatiently on her toast, willing to leave for school with an empty stomach.
Why can't I? she thought to herself. They're not even paying any attention to me anyway! The door's almost next to me, and they're all the way on the opposite side, SO...
But Nani will be mad at me though. Ah well, if she asks, then I'll tell her I wanted to go to school early...Nah, she won't believe that...Hmm...I'll make up something better, as long as I get away from here!
She looked over again to make sure no one was looking at her. Without a sound, Aisha slowly wriggled out of her seat and ended up crawling under the table towards the door. While doing so, she recited a song that Nani recently taught her.
As long as the waves crash
To the cliffs from the shining sea
As long as the sun should rise and fall,
You and I will always be
I will always love you
No matter how far apart we are
Even if I am on the ground
And you're at a distant star
"Aisha." The voice was sonorous, but the tone was assertive.
The young Clanclan froze. She was so engrossed with the song that she crawled to the door in plain sight of everyone present. Knowing when she was beaten, she returned to her seat and plopped down on its cushion.
"Yes, mother?" she asked with the sweetness that only she could fake.
"I see you have barely touched your breakfast. Is there something you care to discuss with me, dear?" queried Lyxiana with a tone of derision.
There was no answer. Her mother continued.
"And to think that the cook took the time to make your favorite things today, while you show absolutely no appreciation. You don't want to look like an ingrate, now do you?"
Aisha looked over to where Nani stood, then down at her plate and felt a pang of guilt in her belly. She did not want the cook to get yelled at on account of her actions.
"Of course not, mother." Under her breath, she added,
"But it takes one to know one."
Lyxiana made a mental note of that statement.
"I see you also don't have any hair ornamentation on today."
(It was a custom for Ctarl-Ctarl ladies to wear large metal rings in their hair to advertise their marital status and wealth, depending on the material.)
What does she want now? Aisha silently voiced.
"Is there a reason for that?"
"It's very heavy and my neck hurts when I wear it."
"Well, if you wore it enough, then it would hurt less." Turning to Nani, who stood close nearby, Lyxiana inquired with a tiny smirk, "Wouldn't it, Nahine?"
Standing straight up, Nani looked into the eyes of the mistress of the house. Frowning, she affirmed, "Yes...madam."
Looking back at her daughter, Lyxiana's smirk grew larger.
"Since you're obviously not hungry, Attilla will be having a nice breakfast today. Now go back upstairs and get ready for school. I need to speak with Nahine for a few minutes."
"No Mother, I'm staying here with her."
There was a faint cackling in the air between them. Even Misao, who by this time was reading the daily news on his pocket computer, was compelled to put it down in order to pay attention to what was happening.
"Please, leave her alone. It's me you're mad at."
The girl's aquamarine eyes grew large and her lower lip gave way to a pout. This scene would have moved many. However, Lyxiana was not one of those people.
"Caela, please escort Lady Aisha to her room immediately."
The underfed servant obeyed carried Aisha out of the dining hall. When they arrived in the bedchamber, the child was thrown on the bed, and the door was locked.
Aisha spent the next five minutes screaming obscenities and begging for Nani to be brought to her. Realizing that it would not accomplish anything, she braided her gold metal ring into her off-white hair in an intricate pattern.
The bell outside rang eight times, meaning she needed to leave immediately. Otherwise, the ferry would leave without her, and she would be late for school. She then would have to stay after, which wouldn't be too bad, if she didn't have to memorize and recite large chunks of the Ctarl-Ctarl virtues.
The door cracked open. Aisha grabbed her pocket computer and ran towards it, finding Lyxiana on the outside.
"Everything concerning Nahine is taken care of."
Aisha's heart pounded with fear, for no sound came out of her.
"Caela will be taking you to the ferry, today and from now on."
She couldn't mean that she-
"By the way, Aisha..."
*SLAP!*
"Have a good day in school today." Lyxiana left as silently as she came.
Aisha quickly ran to her mirror and examined her face. As much as it hurt, she saw that it didn't leave a mark, unlike the last time. But that was the least of her concerns, for there was no telling of what was happening to Nahine.
"Lady Aisha! We must leave now!"
Checking again to make sure she had everything she needed, Aisha walked out of her chamber, then closed the door.
And by the way, I agree. My songwriting sucks.
They were supposed to eat in silence. That was how it was for as long as Aisha could remember, and as far as she was concerned, that was fine with her. It was the only time of the day when her father Misao was present to acknowledge her existence. It was the only time of day when her mother Lyxiana was too preoccupied with keeping appearances in to scrutinize any aspect of Aisha's appearance, schoolwork, and especially her somewhat carefree attitude. It was the only time of day when she could enjoy her food and think about things without having to tune out her parents' veiled insults directed at each other.
While Misao cut into his salmon filet with the precision of a surgeon and Lyxiana curtly ordered Caela to bring a fresher pitcher of milk, Aisha nibbled impatiently on her toast, willing to leave for school with an empty stomach.
Why can't I? she thought to herself. They're not even paying any attention to me anyway! The door's almost next to me, and they're all the way on the opposite side, SO...
But Nani will be mad at me though. Ah well, if she asks, then I'll tell her I wanted to go to school early...Nah, she won't believe that...Hmm...I'll make up something better, as long as I get away from here!
She looked over again to make sure no one was looking at her. Without a sound, Aisha slowly wriggled out of her seat and ended up crawling under the table towards the door. While doing so, she recited a song that Nani recently taught her.
As long as the waves crash
To the cliffs from the shining sea
As long as the sun should rise and fall,
You and I will always be
I will always love you
No matter how far apart we are
Even if I am on the ground
And you're at a distant star
"Aisha." The voice was sonorous, but the tone was assertive.
The young Clanclan froze. She was so engrossed with the song that she crawled to the door in plain sight of everyone present. Knowing when she was beaten, she returned to her seat and plopped down on its cushion.
"Yes, mother?" she asked with the sweetness that only she could fake.
"I see you have barely touched your breakfast. Is there something you care to discuss with me, dear?" queried Lyxiana with a tone of derision.
There was no answer. Her mother continued.
"And to think that the cook took the time to make your favorite things today, while you show absolutely no appreciation. You don't want to look like an ingrate, now do you?"
Aisha looked over to where Nani stood, then down at her plate and felt a pang of guilt in her belly. She did not want the cook to get yelled at on account of her actions.
"Of course not, mother." Under her breath, she added,
"But it takes one to know one."
Lyxiana made a mental note of that statement.
"I see you also don't have any hair ornamentation on today."
(It was a custom for Ctarl-Ctarl ladies to wear large metal rings in their hair to advertise their marital status and wealth, depending on the material.)
What does she want now? Aisha silently voiced.
"Is there a reason for that?"
"It's very heavy and my neck hurts when I wear it."
"Well, if you wore it enough, then it would hurt less." Turning to Nani, who stood close nearby, Lyxiana inquired with a tiny smirk, "Wouldn't it, Nahine?"
Standing straight up, Nani looked into the eyes of the mistress of the house. Frowning, she affirmed, "Yes...madam."
Looking back at her daughter, Lyxiana's smirk grew larger.
"Since you're obviously not hungry, Attilla will be having a nice breakfast today. Now go back upstairs and get ready for school. I need to speak with Nahine for a few minutes."
"No Mother, I'm staying here with her."
There was a faint cackling in the air between them. Even Misao, who by this time was reading the daily news on his pocket computer, was compelled to put it down in order to pay attention to what was happening.
"Please, leave her alone. It's me you're mad at."
The girl's aquamarine eyes grew large and her lower lip gave way to a pout. This scene would have moved many. However, Lyxiana was not one of those people.
"Caela, please escort Lady Aisha to her room immediately."
The underfed servant obeyed carried Aisha out of the dining hall. When they arrived in the bedchamber, the child was thrown on the bed, and the door was locked.
Aisha spent the next five minutes screaming obscenities and begging for Nani to be brought to her. Realizing that it would not accomplish anything, she braided her gold metal ring into her off-white hair in an intricate pattern.
The bell outside rang eight times, meaning she needed to leave immediately. Otherwise, the ferry would leave without her, and she would be late for school. She then would have to stay after, which wouldn't be too bad, if she didn't have to memorize and recite large chunks of the Ctarl-Ctarl virtues.
The door cracked open. Aisha grabbed her pocket computer and ran towards it, finding Lyxiana on the outside.
"Everything concerning Nahine is taken care of."
Aisha's heart pounded with fear, for no sound came out of her.
"Caela will be taking you to the ferry, today and from now on."
She couldn't mean that she-
"By the way, Aisha..."
*SLAP!*
"Have a good day in school today." Lyxiana left as silently as she came.
Aisha quickly ran to her mirror and examined her face. As much as it hurt, she saw that it didn't leave a mark, unlike the last time. But that was the least of her concerns, for there was no telling of what was happening to Nahine.
"Lady Aisha! We must leave now!"
Checking again to make sure she had everything she needed, Aisha walked out of her chamber, then closed the door.