Work Text:
Vera’s eyes scanned the walls as she absently fiddled with the pages of her book. Reading over the page a fifth time was unlikely to make her retain the words if she hadn’t managed to by now. Unfortunately for her, the Stillglade Fane was intended for meditation and focus. As much as she has been allowed to put her own touches on this particular study, there was little to look at except more books, and she was not in the mood.
“I get the impression you aren’t enjoying your gift.”
She glanced behind her at the welcome distraction, surprised that she had not heard him open the door.
“I appreciate the gesture, brother, I really do. It’s just so… dry.”
“I would have thought you’d find the subject of your own heritage fascinating,” he questioned as he came to stand over her desk. “You never tire of asking the newcome adventurers about theirs.”
“A firsthand account of far-off places is a tad more intriguing than a book that manages to make nomadism and horse marriage of all things sound about as interesting as stale toast.”
He ignored the face she was making, leaning over to turn the book to a new page himself.
“That is in reference to a Xaela tribe, I believe. Have you learned naught of the Raen?”
“Besides those that have mysteriously vanished? Most Raen, the group of which I am allegedly a part—”
He began to cut her off as soon as the word ‘allegedly’ left her mouth. Endearing as her stubbornness could sometimes be, he was trying to encourage her to grow out of it.
“We’ve been over this, Vera. You are not Padjali.”
A pout flashed across her face before she straightened up, mimicking her father's stoic nature.
“You’re just jealous that I have more horns than you, E-Sumi. Now don’t interrupt. The Raen have fully assimilated into Doma’s culture, placing great importance on hierarchy and the master-servant relationship. Despite their low numbers, they are known to be loyal and trustworthy.” Vera flipped the book closed, relaxing and signaling the end of her miniature lecture. E-Sumi-Yan watched her expectantly, dutifully refraining from interrupting despite the extended pause. She sighed, dropping her eyes to her lap. “The book paints each culture with a single brush. There may be a few interesting details in there, but it’s impersonal. I could memorize it front to back and be no closer to the Au Ra than I am now.”
“You’re disappointed in the book because it’s a book, instead of a person. My purpose in procuring it for you was never to sate your curiosity, but to pique it. You seem so interested in learning about every culture but your own.”
“But it’s not my culture! I’m Gridanian! My home is here, my family—” She cut off her outburst abruptly, but he understood her all the same. My family is here. You’re my family. Not whoever left me or lost me. They’re not here. “Look, I want to see the world, I do. Every last ilm of it. But to go looking specifically for… whoever,” her eyes met his again, wide and pleading. “what if I don’t like what I find?”
“Then you’ll come home.”