This Life's Light/Scáthach: Astra's Wake

Scáthach: Astra's Wake - C

Scáthach	Did that really just happen? Oh, this is awful... Why did I have to go and do something like that? I only had one chance to make a first impression. If I had only realized sooner! What a miserable fool I am...
You don’t look well, Brother. Cheer up! We all make mistakes now and then. What’s important is learning from the experience and not making the same mistake twice. You make it sound like it’s the end of the world, but how bad could it possibly be?		Larcei
Scáthach	You don’t understand...
Scáthach	I see that the Order of Heroes works with many familiar faces from my world. I wonder if—yes! It is her! It’s wonderful to see you, Larcei. When did you arrive here?
“Larcei”? How do you—		Ayra
Scáthach	I see you decided to grow out your hair. I can’t say it doesn’t suit you, but... Weren’t you always whining that fighting with long hair is a real pain in the butt?
Those eyes... Yes, you must be Scáthach. My, how you’ve grown... But who raised you to greet your mother in such a brazen manner?		Ayra
Scáthach	Come on, I’m just—wait, WHAT? D-did you just say m-m... I, um, it’s a pleasure to meet—I mean, I’m so sorry! I didn’t... Oh no, what have I done?
Wow. Maybe it is the end of the world after all.		Larcei
Scáthach	My first words to our mother were a crude jab about the length of her hair... When I realized who she actually was, my mind went completely blank. And I just...ran.
Wait, you didn’t say anything after that? How do you think Mother feels right now? Come on. We’re going to sort this out this instant. Follow me!		Larcei

Scáthach: Astra's Wake - B

Larcei	It’s true that we were separated from Mother when we were young, and we have only hazy memories of her... But mistaking her for me is a little much, don’t you think? Are we really that similar?
You’re right. I don’t know how I mistook her for you.		Scáthach
Larcei	She’ll probably be at her usual practice spot in the forest. Hmm... Was it this way? Come on.
Hup! Heeyah!		Mareeta
Ayra	Good. That’s enough for today. Remember to step forward when you swing.
Phew! I will. An enlightening lesson as always. Thank you.		Mareeta
Ayra	It would seem we have guests. Ah, Larcei and Scáthach. I see you’ve been reunited in this world as well.
Hello, Mother. Please forgive the intrusion. Might we have a moment of your time? We—		Larcei
Scáthach	Mother, I humbly beg your forgiveness! I was a fool to mistake you for Larcei!
Scáthach, please. I can understand your embarrassment, but it is unfounded. When I first saw Larcei, I felt as if I were looking directly into a mirror.		Ayra
Larcei	Oh! You did?
It makes me very happy to see you both grown into such fine young adults. In another world, fate denied me the chance to see you grow beyond childhood... That is all the more reason to appreciate and treasure our time together here.		Ayra
Scáthach	Mother... Being able to speak with you here, like this...it’s a dream come true.
Ahem...		Mareeta
Scáthach	Oh, I’m sorry. I was a bit caught up in the moment. You are?
I’m Mareeta of Fiana. Nice to meet you. Lady Ayra has been gracious enough to offer personal lessons between my training sessions.		Mareeta
Ayra	But of course. Like you two, Mareeta is a descendant of the Sword Saint Od. As scions of the same bloodline, you would do well to learn from one another.
Of course! I’m looking forward to training with you, Mareeta.		Larcei
Mareeta	And I you, Princess Larcei.
I’m Scáthach. I’ve just been summoned to Askr, so any help is much appreciated.		Scáthach
Mareeta	I will do all I can. But for now, please permit me to take my leave. My training calls.
Hmm... Another descendant of the crusader Od. She does remind me of Mother, somehow.		Scáthach
Ayra	By all rights, she is Isaach’s—no, that thought will lead us nowhere. Larcei, Scáthach... While you are here in Askr, see to it that you protect its people. Do not be distracted by your obligations back in Jugdral. Focus on the here and now.
I understand. I would like nothing more than to fight by your side, Mother!		Scáthach
Ayra	“Mother...”
Is something amiss, Mother?		Larcei

Scáthach: Astra's Wake - A

Ayra	Scáthach, Larcei... You have quickly taken to calling me “mother,” and yet... The fact remains that I have spent almost no time with you two in a motherly capacity.
Well...		Scáthach
Ayra	I do not know how you were raised since arriving here, but I would wager that I was absent. Whether death or some other cruel fate befell me, I was not able to fulfill my role as parent.
That’s not true! After you risked your life to save Prince Shannan, he was able to save us.		Larcei
Ayra	Yet I regret my absence all the same. It was not for him to shoulder my responsibilities as a parent. Scáthach apologized earlier, but in truth it is I who should be apologizing to you. My children... I have caused you so much pain, and for that, I am deeply sorry.
Mother, please! There’s no need for you to apologize!		Larcei
Scáthach	She’s right. There’s not a single thing you should apologize for.
Even so...		Ayra
Scáthach	Prince Shannan was only able to look after us because you had protected him. You may not have raised us, but through your actions, you ensured that we would have a future.
What greater gift could a parent give than that?		Larcei
Ayra	I... Yes. You were indeed raised well— by caring friends and teachers, no doubt. Then let me say, from the heart: I have never been more proud of you both than I am now.

Scáthach: Astra's Wake - S

Scáthach	I believe I speak for us both when I say that Larcei and I are just as proud of you, Mother.
It warms my heart to hear that. I may have missed my opportunity to raise you as children... But I still have plenty of time to teach you about the sword, and I won’t waste a moment more.		Ayra
Larcei	Mother, that stance...
I’m ready, Mother! Please, don’t hold anything back!		Scáthach
Larcei	Hey, no fair! I want to join!
In that case, Larcei, join your brother. I will take you both on at once. For so long, I have known nothing but this sword... You too will know these techniques soon enough.		Ayra
Scáthach	I can’t wait! Let’s go, Larcei! Raaah!
Yes, I’m with you! Hiiiyah!		Larcei
Scáthach	Phew. That was...amazing.
Yes it was! Whew!		Larcei
Scáthach	Mother’s technique was razor-sharp. It proved just how much I have left to learn...
I’ve watched her fight before, but this was my first time on the receiving end of her blade.		Larcei
Scáthach	I could feel her resilience and determination in every strike. Built over years and years... It taught me more about her life than words ever could. It made me happy to know that the paths we walk with our swords are more similar than I realized.
Parents connect with their children in a variety of ways. Even if she didn’t raise us... Bonding over our shared love of the sword may just be what makes our family special.		Larcei
Scáthach	Hah. You know...
What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?		Larcei
Scáthach	You really do look like her.
Oh, come on. Mother is one hundred times more beautiful, even on her worst day.		Larcei
Scáthach	If you say so. But it does also make me wonder... Just how much do I resemble our father?

Scenario
← Shannan		Arthur →
This Life's Light
Scáthach	Ishtar	Arthur	Tine

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