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Life for Sona Buvelle once she moved to Demacia was interesting to say the least. Never once in her childhood would she have expected to be ushered far across the sea to this land of great white buildings. Never would she have expected to find a foster family that adored her so. To have a mother and father that loved her so. But those were small things on this list of what she never expected to happen.
One of the grandest things that Sona learned about herself within those walls was that she was a mage. That her beloved instrument, the Etwahl, was a magical artifact. She learned that she had the power to heal, to protect and even manipulate moods with her magic. But there was something else that Sona had learned alongside that journey of knowledge. Something that was somehow less shocking than her other personal discoveries.
The first time a hint of the discovery came, was when Sona was first given access to the libraries of the Illuminators. Still struggling with grasping the Demacian language, Sona was so kindly escorted through the halls. Given courteous nods and bows from the Radiants. The Buvelles were prominent patrons after all. It was expected of everyone there to treat her with respect. To which Sona showed the same, they were the reason she found her new family after all.
But there in the libraries, Sona met the main librarian. A woman several years her senior. Who was knowledgeable in everything Sona needed and more. Who was versed in several Ionian dialects much to Sona's surprise. The woman had no struggle picking up the sign language that Sona knew. Even taking the time to learn that which had previously only been used within the Buvelle home. But even outside of all those wonderful things. What caught Sona the most, was that every time the older woman smiled at her, so soft and kind, Sona's heart skipped a beat.
Surely she was not supposed to have that happen when another woman merely smiled at her. Surely Sona should only feel that way about men. That was all the couples she saw about. A man and a woman. Maybe the librarian was merely a fluke. Sona was sure of it.
Except it wasn't.
Putting on recitals and participating heavily in the musical arts world meant that Sona was privileged to meet many people from all walks of life. All of them were incredibly kind to her. Thanking her for beautiful performances. Certain individuals even showered her in gifts of flowers and sometimes much more expensive items that Sona would politely turn away. She did not play for those things. She played music because she loved it.
There were those who seemed to understand that more than others. One individual being a fellow born of Ionia as well, the Seneschal to the king, Xin Zhao. Inviting the Maven to play for the king and for the knights and soldiers on many occasions. After every performance, Sona could not help the way the female knights made her blush with their compliments. Their thanks for such beautiful music before their sendoffs to war. The butterflies when each kissed her hand before departing. The feelings that men did not bring her, only women.
After one such performance, Sona found herself home, pacing the halls of the Buvelle manor, the moonlight casting its glow upon her. Contemplating deep the findings of herself that were more strange than that of being a mage. Being something she did not even have a word for. The only noise was the soft sound of her feet against the marble, it should not have been loud enough to wake anyone. But the Lady Buvelle was more perceptive than one would assume.
The slight creak of the Lady's door alerted Sona that her mother was awake. Lady Lestara's face showed worry written all over it. Concern for her beloved daughter to be pacing, cursed to be away with thoughts she was unaware of.
"Sona?" Lady Lestara's voice was soft, a whisper yet still so loud as it broke the silence while she closed the door behind her. Moving closer to see Sona clearer in the moonlight. "What troubles my daughter so late?"
'Mother' Sona's hands came up to sign, making sure to keep them visible for her mother. 'I did not mean to wake you. I was merely contemplating something.'
"Late night contemplations are not always good. Will you tell me so I can attempt to relieve your struggles?" Lady Lestara, Sona's mother, ushered them back down the hall into Sona's bedroom. A place more private for the conversation of Sona's struggles. A comforting notion.
'I have been having thoughts. Feelings. About.' Sona paused, her hands hovering with anxiety, fearful of what her mother would think of her. But the look on Lestara's face was kind and patient. As it always had been with her. Waiting patiently to know what was on her daughter's mind. 'About women. Ones I have never had about men.'
Sona could not have expected her mother to laugh. For relief to coat the woman's face as she clutched at her daughter's hands.
"Oh my dear, that is so much easier than anything you could have told me. Far easier than things we have already learned about you. You are allowed to love a woman the way other women love men. There is nothing wrong with that. There is no shame and no worries in this. It is a part of you that can shine, even if we have to keep others a secret." Lady Lestara moved to stand, pressing a kiss to Sona's forehead. "Do not worry yourself over matters of your heart, my daughter. Now get some sleep."
'Thank you, mother.' Sona signed before her mother turned around, letting herself setting into the sheets. Of course her mother would not mind such a thing. And maybe her mother was right, like women wasn't nearly as big a deal as being a mage in the most anti-mage city in all of Runeterra. With that, Sona drifted off to sleep with thoughts of female knights and librarians on her mind. And would wake with a new song to play.