Chapter Text
2146 - 8 Years before the Battle of The Hallelujah Mountains
Arms hold me in a gentle embrace. A lullaby is being sung, though I can’t hear the words, or I can’t remember them. There is laughter and happiness all around. I look up and see a familiar face of a woman, her eyes warm. She reaches out a hand, songcord wrapped around her fingers. She opens her mouth to say something…
“Wake up!” There is a loud slam and I shoot up in my bunk. I blink my eyes, the dream of my mother slipping away fast. Colonel Harding stands outside the doors to our room, her hand resting on the glass.
“Get ready and line up, class starts in 5!” She barks, and strides away, her heavy boots clanking down the hallway.
I slip out of my bed, my heart still hammering in my chest. The others are lining up, with Teylan looking excited at the chance to learn more things. More human things. I start to follow before I remember–my mothers songcord! I rifle through my blanket and pillow, not caring at being disciplined for the mess, when I hear footsteps behind me.
“Looking for something?” I turn around. Aha’ri stands there with our mother’s songcord in her hand.
“It was on the floor, I think you dropped it during your sleep.” She places it in my palm, folding my fingers over it with a smile.
“Thank you sister.” Together we walk to the line at the doors. She holds my hand, and I am grateful she is here.