THIRTEEN
She is such a small child, and though her expression gives away a degree of gloominess, there is a bit of curiosity in her wide eyes nonetheless.
She murmurs a soft, "Hello. I'm Elfnein. Pleased to meet you," even as her hands fidget behind her back.
Wishing she wasn't so awkward herself, she replies, "I am Tsubasa Kazanari. The please is mine." It is such a stiff greeting. Her own hands are shoved in her pockets.
The child droops minutely.
She kind of wants to pat her shoulder, explain that it is not her at all, it is truly Tsubasa's fault for being such an inadequate adult, such an awkward and cowardly person when it matters most. She wants to reassure the child.
But she finds herself frightened of this small child; or, rather, she fears hurting this little girl named Elfnein with the dull edge of her sword—blunted from disuse, but not softened anywhere near enough for gentleness.
"Elfnein. That's a pretty name," Maria says, forgoing the chairs provided and sitting on the carpet. "I'm Maria, and Tsubasa here is my wife. Please, will you join us?" She pats the floor.
It is a prompt not only for the child, but for Tsubasa, as well. She has never been gladder to have Maria, her partner for almost thirteen years, with her.
She sits down next to Maria and tries her best to smile invitingly at the child.
"We don't bite! I'll tell you a little secret," Maria leans forward with a mischievous wink, "we're just as nervous as you, honestly. But! We're also really, really excited to get to know you, Elfnein!"
Tsubasa nods in agreement, and her smile turns sheepish, but much more natural. "Please, Elfnein, sit with us," she manages to say.
The child blinks at her, at both of them, and Tsubasa feels a kinship towards this quiet little person who hesitantly joins them on the floor.
She notices, however, that the girl's gaze is focused up, presumably at Maria's hair.
"Maria's hairstyle is rather peculiar, is it not?" she confides to Elfnein, and Maria, understanding completely, laughs at her own expense.
Elfnein's mouth twitches in a smile.
Inwardly, Tsubasa beams. Perhaps this will not be too difficult, after all; though, she should work on having conversations without sacrificing the dignity of her wife.
a/n: I was waiting for this chapter all week. What d'you think of our first scene with all three of them together?