Music Playing: Mononoke Hime Theme by Masaki Endoh
As said at least once before, Ryuuko can be affectionate and gives her affection regardless if one asks it or not. However, comfort isn't something that she asks for, which is to say, verbally. She comes to someone for comfort, certainly, but doesn't say she want it, she just shows that she does. Of course, likewise, while she has grasped some rather small semblance of comprehensive speech, she tends to talk whenever, more often than not, gesturing.
This time was different. Something was bothering her but she couldn't identify what it was, regardless she was agitated. I figured, perhaps, that she was just upset and why she was required no real explanation. Likewise, I figured she would probably sort it out herself like she sometimes does, however, she didn't do that. Instead, while I was reading, she came to me asked a question consisting of three words, the words being "May have hug?"
I opted to oblige her and, as soon as I did so, she clung to me, refusing to let go. She was agitated, asking for comfort and protection from dangers she probably couldn't see. It was late, certainly, and, soon, she'd be put to bed but, for the moment, she's being held in my arms, recieving comfort from whatever she feared. I suppose her agitation was a sign of her impending sleepiness, in which case, she would interpret it the way she would most things she doesn't know, thus regarding it with agitation.
After holding her for a good hour or two, I put her to bed, to which, before falling asleep, she said, "Don't go 'way, Mam. Stay here, want Mam stay here." I obliged her yet again, however, I decided to ask her what was the matter, to which she gave the response that our father had gone away and she didn't want me to go away either before asking where did he go. She was communicating the loss she felt and wanted him to come back. I could feel those bittersweet faded memories of him return and my heart ache. I missed him even more in that moment than few others, more because I wished he was there with us.
I tugged at her a bit and brought her to the window before she pointing to the sky. The stars seemed to have caught her attention, leading her to ask, "Those?" I responded that they were stars and that, wherever the stars are, is where people who go away go, saying, "He's up there, now, with the stars and with the stars is where people who go away go." I then went on to tell her that he's loved her and how, from up there, he's watching over us. I also told her that he is always with us and that, if she's sad and want to see him, all she has to do is look at the sky.
She looked at them for awhile before bidding them good night and falling asleep in my arms. I held her for a bit, just as a I felt a warm but very brief embrace.
I reconciled that our father returned briefly to comfort me and reassure me that I was doing well.