We Bow to the Wind and Give Thanks

Ghita Marino · 05-14-2010, 03:02 PM

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Yay for auntie love! *summons Cambria* Prepare to be hugged. **This thread occurs before mine with Ehno, right?**

Wb: 500~

It had been weeks, innumerable and uncountable days, and infinite hours that had stretched between the two since they had seen each other. The last Ghita had heard of Cambria first-hand was that she was crushed in the barn, her shrill voice still haunting Ghita's dreams as the auburn fae cried out in fear and pain. The only thing that had managed to keep Ghita stationary and unable to help Cambria was her rashness, causing the barn to fall and crush the wayward aunt beneath it's menacing beams.

Ghita had never possessed the genes needed to be a good family member. Roaming was in her blood & bones, her spirit unable to let the fae linger in one place for more than a few weeks ever since Ehno and Savina had left Ghita behind in Italy. Her father had never been around, and her first mate had left Ghita for another female in a situation that startlingly resembled her mother's. Ghita had wandered with Nomads for years and years, coming to Crimson Dreams at a time where her own hurts were barely healed over, and then bolting once more as her scars were ripped open by seeing her sister's successes.

So her return had been met with some resentment, a small amount of betrayal mixed into the melting pot of emotions that the Marinos were subject to. But Ghita had finally become content to contain her roaming to Nova Scotia's borders, heartstrings being pulled and tethered to Crimson Dreams. She had finally gotten to know her nieces and nephews, create her very own family, before events that followed threatened to steal everything away.

Rising to her one good hind paw from her bed, her lithe optime body moved like a graceful river, her frame slipping and sliding over the blankets until her walking stick was in reach, using it to pull the fae to a standing position. The worry that had plagued the aunt suddenly flared as her balance was unattainable, the woman swaying half a foot backwards and forwards for a few painstaking moments, the woman finally able to steady herself after weeks of inaction. With a set destination in mind, Ghita began with baby steps out of the room, the final goal residing in the mansion alone.

Following the pathway that wound to Cambria's room, the fae was by no means a silent traveller, sounding more like a pirate with a gimpy leg than a worried aunt. Finally after a few minutes able to mute her shuffling, the woman crossed the remaining few feet to reach Cambria's room. Not panting necessarily, but slightly out of breath, the woman leaned her back against the wall that stood nearby, her ribs protesting somewhat as her back hit the wall with a soft 'thud'. Gathering her walking stick in her paw, she used it to rap on the door three times, the aunt desperately hoping that her journey had not been for naught and her niece was lingering inside and healing quite nicely.

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Cambria Marino · 05-25-2010, 04:24 PM

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huzzah! the cheery thread can finally happen! XD Yeah sure, whatever works for you Smile 300+

The girl's healing was more or less complete. There were still a few tufts of fur that had yet to grow back on her torso, but the pain was gone and the scrapes had scabbed over and turned back to normal flesh. Still though, Cambria hadn't been moving around all that much, content to stay within the shadow of the mansion if not inside it itself. She worked to study her book of healing herbs and tend to Enzo. Her thoughts also frequently drifted to Mati, and that amazing day and night they had spent together. The mere thought of it served to take her breath away. She understood now the true power of two people coming together in such a way. She now understood that she loved the Church fey, and she didn't think it would ever be possible for her heart to love another. Mati had become her world, and Cambria never wished to be far from her side.

When she wasn't focused on her studies or thinking of her lover though, her mind turned to her aunt and how guilty she felt. She knew it wasn't her fault, what had happened to Ghita, but still, if she hadn't been trapped in the barn then Ghita wouldn't have gotten hurt. Her aunt had been more severely injured than she had been. Cambi hadn't been even able to help her herself. She was glad that Dawali had come and taken care of her, but the guilt still resided heavily in her chest. Along with those two things, she had yet to go and visit the woman, and it made her feel like a coward and a wretch. She should have been there for her as soon as she had been able to, but she had stayed away. What kept her away, she didn't really know, but part of it was she was afraid to see what the failed rescue attempt had done to her aunt. Cambria didn't know if she could stand seeing the extent of the damage her family member had endured on her behalf.

It was these thoughts that ran through her mind as she sat on the bed of her room, fingers fidgeting in her lap. She needed to be brave, to suck it up and go see her, and hope that Ghita would be able to forgive her for her neglect and cowardice. The woman would have every right to be disappointed or angry with her, and if that were the case, Cambria needed to have the guts to face it. The knocks on her door startled her somewhat, but quickly she got up and opened the door to find the very person she had been thinking about. "Ghita," she breathed, looking her aunt over. Already she could feel tears well up behind her eyes. She hoped that she could forgive her.

Ghita Marino · 05-25-2010, 07:57 PM

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I think we should establish that ooc these two have a fun time. Seriously - all of our threads have been serious/sad! XD

Wc: 471~

In the moment that the door creaked open, revealing her auburn niece within, Ghita spent no time lurching forward to wrap Cambria in a bear hug - the instincts that were strengthened by motherhood coursing through her veins. Although not nearly as graceful as she wished to be, the fae still moved quickly, wrapping long, gangly arms around Cambria's shoulders and drawing her in, content to hold her niece that she was so afraid had been lost.

Everything else melted away, leaving niece and aunt to enjoy their moment in peace and bliss, Ghita simply happy to see Cambria in good health. The nightmares had been fierce, but the daydreams bit with sharper teeth, drawing blood as easily as she breathed. While confined to the couch and Jazper's bed, the elder fae could do nothing to check on Cambria - her leg had still not healed as well as anyone had hoped. And whether it was a product of the pain or Ghita's overactive imagination born of panic, the fae couldn't fully relax without relying on her senses to tell her what her packmates had been saying - that Cambria really was alright.

""Sono così felice che stai bene, Cambria."" Her voice was like melted velvet, thick and warm with emotion. She hadn't thought about hurting Cambria further with her bear hug before, but Ghita took a gamble and trusted her packmates - their information had told her that Cambria was alright, and almost healed. Her injuries were mostly on her ribs, like Ghita's, and the elder fae hoped that she wasn't crushing the girl beneath her emotion.

Gripping her niece lightly by the shoulders, Ghita made to move back, but forgot, for a brilliant moment, the contraption that lingered around her leg. Awkwardly hopping back to compensate, the fae loosed one hand to reach for her walking stick, the arm that corresponded with the injured leg creating an extra outlet for Ghita's weight. Sighing, Ghita's turquoise eyes looked the girl up and down, noting dismally the patches of lost fur and ruffled pelt where the girl had been injured. ""Sembra che tu stai bene guarigione - sono così felice. Come ti senti?""

Too proud to take a spot sitting down, the fae hovered, eventually dropping her hand back to her walking stick for the added support. For now, it didn't matter that Ghita's leg was threatening to become a life-long ailment. It didn't matter that her movement was jerky at best, impossible at worst. Ghita's precious niece was okay, the image that hovered in the fae's nightmares finally replaced with a fully healed Cambria - one that she had failed to rescue, but her brother had succeeded. He had come through for the two of them - that was certain. And that was all that mattered - that Cambria was alright.

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Cambria Marino · 06-01-2010, 10:27 PM

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yeah D: but I have a feeling this one will lighten up as it goes on! 300+

Before she could utter any excuses or apologies for her lack of visitation, her aunt leaned forward and wrapped her tightly in her arms. The hug surprised Cambria for a moment, and she stood stunned, but soon enough she shook out of her stupor and her own arms wrapped around the woman who had been so injured coming to her aid. The girl pressed her face against Ghita's shoulder, failing at holding back the tears that had previous hung behind her eyes. She had been a coward and she hadn't gone to see her aunt. Instead of being angry and hurt though, here the woman was, hugging her as if her life depended on it. It relieved her that Ghita apparently didn't hold it against her, but at the same time it made her feel even more guilty for not going to her.

Her aunt's words wrapped her in a blanket of warmth and she hugged her even tighter, she too not thinking about the possibility of it causing the other Marino pain. "Ghita..." It was all her voice could manage to say at the moment. After that her tones drifted away into silence and her mind could think of no other words to conjure. Should she apologize? Should she say she was glad that she was doing okay? Cambi decided she certainly couldn't say the latter, considering she really didn't know if Ghita was doing okay. Just because she had managed to walk down the hall didn't mean that everything was fine with her, though it was better than she had expected.

Ghita pulled back a little and for a moment the woman stumbled and it seemed she might fall. Cambi's eyes grew wide with fright, so worried that her aunt was about to exacerbate the injuries she already had and a soft gasp was inhaled into her lungs. The older female righted herself though, and the air that had been taken in was released as a sigh of relief. Then, as her aunt looked her over, the girl did the same, noting that her leg was clearly still hurt. Seeing her strong aunt like that made her chest ache. "Sì, faccio bene," she responded, a hint of her guilt welling up in her tones. Her watery eyes moved up to meet the turquoise of her relative. "La zietta, sono così spiacente che non sono venuto da...Sono così spiacente che lei è stato doluto..." Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. She hated that this had happened, all of it.

Ghita Marino · 06-12-2010, 09:20 PM

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Woohoo! Finally back! Cambria is impossibly cute, btw.

Wc: 400~

At first, the physical contact brought nothing but joy to the aunt, who had feared for those infinite moments that her niece would slip away from her grasp. Feeling Cambria in her arms, her head on Ghita's shoulder, made the fae's heart soar with relief and happiness, the woman just happy to be in the moment until reality crept in. Her ribs were still cracked, and even the slight pressure from Cambria's hug caused a ripple of pain to spread through her sides. Gritting her teeth in something that could resemble a smile, the fae fought through it, managing to wipe all obvious physical distress from her features.

"Shh... it's okay Cambria." Mistaking Cambria's guilt for pain and fear from what happened, the fae did her best to address this fear and remedy it. Moving around to take her own stock of the girl, only a flicker of her ears gave away that she'd heard the startled gasp as she tumbled slightly, the sound cutting into her fur like a knife. The last person she wanted to seem vulnerable to was her niece, although the rest of her family came in around that area as well. Nodding at Cambria's response, Ghita was satisfied both with what she heard and saw, and the muscles in her back that had tensed began to relax.

But the younger fae's tone was heavy, riddled with an emotion that Ghita couldn't place or understand. Her eyes darkened slightly in confusion, but recovered quickly, turning her attention to Cambria's words once more. Suddenly, the dam broke, and alarm spread across Ghita's face. "Cambi?" Moving closer to the girl, Ghita pulled Cambria into a hug, soothing the girl by running her hand down the back of Cambria's hair. ""Ah, Cambria. Non ti preoccupare, va bene? Ci vuole di più per tenervi zia giù, te lo prometto."" But even as she said it, the uncertainty that Ghita kept pressed to the bottom of her soul crept up into the last dregs of her words, the fae unable to lie to her distressed niece.

She held the girl for a few moments longer, letting the tears seep into the dust-hued fur she wore as a pelt, stroking the girl in an attempt to remedy some of the painful feelings she'd caused. ""Mi piacerebbe farlo di nuovo e di nuovo per proteggerti. Mi piacerebbe molto, piuttosto che sono stato male di te.""

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Cambria Marino · 07-09-2010, 01:14 AM

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so sorry for the wait dear :< 300+

Cambria could live with her own trauma, her own injuries. She'd done it before, and this was nowhere near what she had experienced with the drugs during her youngest days. It was the fact that other people had been hurt as they had come to try and save her. The fact that the one who had been the most harmed coming to her aid stung even worse. Ghita had always been there for her since she had returned to Crimson Dreams, and while it didn't surprise the girl that she had charged fearlessly into the collapsing barn, it didn't make her feel any less guilty. She didn't know the complete extent of the injuries her aunt had suffered, but it wouldn't shock her to find that they had been life threatening. What if she had died? Cambria didn't think she would have been able to live with herself if that had happened. This was difficult enough to deal with.

The young Marino nuzzled her face into the older fey's chest, little sobs escaping her as Ghita's hands stroked her hair lovingly. The woman, as always, was putting on the strong face to protect her niece, but Cambi could hear the slight waver in her confidence as she spoke of her condition. Her leg was badly hurt. Would she ever regain its full function again? If she trusted anyone's healing ability, it was Dawali's, but she knew that there was only so much anyone could do. Hopefully whatever the AniWayan chief had done had been enough. "La terrò a quella promessa," she said softly. "Farò la promessa di Dawali anche." It was a childish thing to say, she knew he could make no promises, but it still made her feel a little better, the idea of it.

The girl sniffled as Ghita assured her that she didn't regret what she had done and what had happened. Cambria knew that she wouldn't, but that didn't stop her from wishing that it hadn't happened, that things had been different. "So. Desidero appena nessuno di questo era successo. Desidero che nessuno fosse stato doluto. Soprattutto lei la Zietta." She drew in a shaky breath, "Desidero che io non ero mai andato in quel capannone stupido." She did wish that, with all her being, but she had never blamed Mati. It wasn't her fault. Even if it somehow had been surely she wouldn't have though so. She couldn't place blame on the person her heart sang for. Cambria only wished they had met someplace else. Then none of this would have happened.

Ghita Marino · 07-17-2010, 01:04 PM

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Nonono, the wait is all mine. ><

Wc: 675~

Whether it was lingering guilt for leaving her family, and her nieces and nephews soonafter their birth or something totally different - a newly-found mothering instinct that took over her nature, Ghita had tried her best to be around for every one of her sister's children from the moment she re-entered Crimson Dreams. And that was unlikely to change even now, when the danger was physical and not emotional in the slightest. And that was only part of the reason why she'd charged into the barn as fast as she could - as cheesy as it was, love was the first reason.

Love, and the fear of losing that love. Ghita would never be able to forgive herself if anyone she loved was lost to a situation she could have prevented, or helped in any way. And her relationship with her sister and niece, which had only grown in power and excellence with time only strengthened those emotions. It was now, and evermore, that Ghita would happily die in the place of anyone she loved - Mate, children, siblings, and nieces & nephews alike. She'd do it in a second, without thinking, as she nearly had done.

As Cambria pressed against her chest, the warmth from the fae's tears ran down her timber-hued fur, the sobs racking both Cambi's and her body alike, causing small spasms of pain to ripple through the broken ribs. But she'd never trade this moment for relief - a wound far greater - one in her heart - was being repaired through every second she spent embracing the niece she'd nearly lost. Continuing to stroke Cambria's hair, she rested her chin on top of the girl's head, pressing the girl as close as possible in the embrace. If nothing else, physical comfort would be what Ghita could provide to help Cambria's sadness, a grief she wished that she could steal away and lock inside her own heart.

Her ears straining to hear Cambria's young, wavering voice, her heart quivered slightly as the words made themselves known. Ghita could promise to always be there for Cambria. She could promise to be the best aunt she could be, to never leave her side and take her as she was, if that was what Cambria wanted. But something she couldn't promise was to be strong and recover fully from this accident and the toll her leg was taking on her soul. But she could promise to seem strong for those around her - and not break down unless Ghita was confident that whoever saw her breakdown was strong enough to help her through it and emerge unscathed.

Making a healer create a binding testimony to the health of one's patient was something Ghita couldn't ask of the man who'd pulled her from the brink of death, so she thought. But in the same heartbeat as she was about to open her mouth and tell her niece so, she also realized that Cambria would realize this too - as a healer, studying under the AniWayan male especially. So simply taking a deep breath, she loosed her soothing words, the ones that Ghita needed Cambria to understand.

"Noi non possiamo cambiare ciò che in passato ora, ma possiamo cambiare il nostro atteggiamento verso il futuro. Forse questo sarà per il meglio, e lo zio Ehno contribuirà a rafforzare gli edifici in modo che nessun altro ha a soffrire in quel modo." But at her last words, Ghita nosed Cambria lightly on the forehead, letting the contact linger for a few minutes, to strengthen her words. "Sono solo felice di aver potuto proteggere da ferite più di te. Questo è ciò che conta per me."

It was a question that hadn't been preying on Ghita's mind particularly, but one that still held mystery nonetheless. Why were the girls in the barn that day? Was it just bad timing for a particularly rambunctious adventure? That was how Ghita saw it anyways. "Almeno adesso è finita - non c'è alcuna possibilità di fare del male a nessun altro."

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Cambria Marino · 07-22-2010, 10:39 PM

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oh you's crazy! Tongue I love Ghita's Kiritar! Big Grin 300+

Even though there was guilt and grief in her heart right now, each moment she spent close to her aunt was helping to wash those ugly feelings from her. Ghita wasn't upset that Cambria hadn't come to see her, wasn't hurt that this was the first time they had seen each other since the accident in the barn. That was what had really been eating away at the girl. The notion that her distance was making things even harder on her relative that had risked so much to come to her rescue. It didn't matter to her that it had been Ehno and not Ghita to be the one to pull her from the wreckage and deliver her to safety. Ghita was just as much of a hero in the girl's eyes, and the love she had for her aunt would never fade away. She was always strong and always willing to listen and care. Their bond was too strong for this to shake it.

Cambi was set on praying every night for her aunt's full and speedy recovery. There wasn't a particular god or gods that the Marino believed in, but she would pray to whatever was out there to listen and accept her pleas. She knew that Ghita would never regret what she did, no matter the cost, but she didn't want what had happened to hinder the woman for the rest of her life. Even though it wasn't, she would always view it as at least partially her fault if that happened. Cambria didn't want that for either of them, because she knew that Ghita didn't want her blaming herself for any of this. She listened carefully to the words her aunt spoke, taking them in just as she took in her comforting embrace. "Sì, fiduciosamente ora nessuno sarà doluto altro che la maniera." They were wise words. They could only work to make the future better at this point.

The chocolate Marino pulled away a little, only enough so she could look up at Ghita's face. Slowly, a faint smile appeared on her lips. "L'amo la Zietta. Sono così contento che lei è qui." She really couldn't imagine where she would be without the elder fey's wisdom and guidance. She would still have her mother and father and the rest of the pack, of course, but the dusky woman held a special place in her heart.

Ghita Marino · 07-25-2010, 03:00 PM

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XD Crazy is definitely a possibility. And thank you so much! ^^
Yay for lost muse at the end... ><

Wc: 288~

It hadn't even occurred to Ghita that Cambria's heart might be ravaged with guilt. She hadn't even thought about why her visitors were few and far between, apart from being thankful that it was so. She hated to be seen as hurt or vulnerable, especially in front of those she loved, but in this moment, she was happy to be holding her niece close.

Ghita had only been able to hear news of her niece's condition from the news her family and friends, nothing direct. Her leg had taken what felt like eons to heal enough for her to be able to walk around, restricting her in a way her spirit couldn't bear, but she'd forgotten all of that now. Cambria was alright, in good health, and that was all that mattered. Ghita was the most severely hurt, and Ghita praised heaven for that. But Ghita wasn't a hero, hardly. She had only worsened the situation at hand, and had paid for it, but perhaps the powers above had needed someone to be injured; if so, Ghita was more than elated to take the blow.

Nodding serenely, Ghita only smiled at her niece, unsure of what to what to say next. She knew her niece well, and knew her caring and kind nature would be reassured by the fact that no one else would have to be hurt. At least Jazper, Ehno, and Mati had emerged unscathed, and the price was a relatively small one to pay for future improvement. Ghita knew that the Carpenters of her pack were highly skilled, and would work tirelessly to keep her pack safe from an accident such as this again.

""Anch'io ti amo, Cambria. Non so cosa farei senza di te.""

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Cambria Marino · 08-13-2010, 03:27 PM

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Sorry, this is crap : / 300+

It had all been a horrible accident, one that none of them had seen coming. If Cambria or Mati had had any notion that the barn was unstable then they wouldn't have ventured there for their rendezvous. The girl could never say that she was happy that any of this had happened, for she could never be happy that people had gotten hurt on her expense, however she was glad that it had brought Mati and her closer together. Their relationship had only seemed to grow after the scary experience, and she couldn't be sorry for that. Still, if there had been another way to gain that kind of closeness, she would have eagerly taken it over this. Even if only she had been hurt, that would have been better than other people getting hurt. Still though, as her aunt had pointed out, there was nothing they could do now except be more prepared and cautious in the future. It was all any of them could do.

Having this talk, and seeing Ghita for herself had made much of her remaining anxiety concerning the collapse of the barn melt away. Now, she felt that she could truly put the whole mess behind her and they could all move on and just focus on getting better and keeping everyone safe. Cambria's tail wagged, her smile growing on her face. "Non so che farei a meno di lei sia. Lei è sempre lì quando ho bisogno di lei." She didn't want to think of how her life would be if Ghita weren't in it. She would still have her mother and father, but the shy girl needed the biggest safety net she could get, and her aunt was an integral part of that. "Lei amerebbe entrare e siede?" Even though she had bared it admirably throughout their conversation and reconnection, Cambi was sure that standing for so long wasn't comfortable for her.

Ghita Marino · 08-16-2010, 04:32 PM

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Bah humbug! It's amazing. XP

Wc: 349~

There would always be one mystery surrounding the unfortunate accident of Old Red - why Mati and Cambria had ventured to the barn in the first place. It wasn't a particularly common hang out, and it seemed odd to travel that far when privacy could be attained in the mansion itself, if that was what they were after. However, there was a sense of adventure to be had from exploring the barn - she knew it herself, having the all too familiar wanderlust in her veins. Still, she didn't think that Cambria or Mati had the same craving for adventure, although there always was the possibility of surprise.

But she didn't care to ask her niece about that. It was a secret, something not immediately disclosed with Ghita nor Cambria's parents, as far as she knew. And as a fae who held secrets of her own, the timber Aunt was one of the least likely candidates to press her kin beyond the comfort point. It wasn't important, in the grand scheme of things, why the pair was there when the barn fell. What was important was that everyone was alive and well despite Old Red's collapse.

Even if the elder fae didn't feel like she had succeeded for her niece, Cambria's contrasting view was quite obvious. Smiling, she placed her hand on the chocolaty shoulder of her slender frame, Ghita's whole being sparkling in the light of being loved and loving. "E io sarò sempre lì, non importa quando hai bisogno di me, o per che cosa. Te lo prometto.""

Keen as always, Cambria had deduced Ghita's discomfort even before it fully registered in her own mind. Sure, the pain had been creeping up behind her, a constant shadowy companions, but it was fought back for a while in the comfort of her niece, and the relief she felt upon seeing her happy and well. Nodding gracefully, she said nothing as she moved to sit down, slightly shamed in her need to sit. "Quindi, caro nipote, ciò che sta accadendo da quando sono a riposo? Nulla di particolarmente interessante?""

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Cambria Marino · 08-19-2010, 04:35 PM

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you are way too kind X3 300+

So far no one had really questioned her as to why she had been in the barn that day. It wasn't anything overly out of the ordinary, but it was common knowledge that she didn't really do that much adventuring even inside of the territory. Even more so when she had set herself to learning the healing arts. Her nose was often in her book of medicinal herbs when she wasn't out for her lessons or collected the helpful plants or other supplies. Still, the girl was thankful nobody had tried to pry into the reasons of her being there. While she was not ashamed of her budding relationship with Mati, she still didn't know how people would react. While her father knew that she liked the Church wolfess, she hadn't even told him yet how things had progressed between them. Soon she would, but she also needed to tell her mother. Perhaps she would tell them together. Part of her wondered if it was serious enough yet to inform her family, but at the same time she did not want to keep it from them. She knew they would support her fully.

Ghita placed a hand on her shoulder and assured her that she would continue to always be there for her, no matter what she needed. Even though Cambi already knew this to be true, hearing it made her smile grow and her tail wag with more energy. The girl was lucky, to have such wonderful and supportive family members that loved her as they did. With them around, it was no wonder that she never felt a need to really leave Crimson Dreams. All she needed and wanted was right here and there was absolutely no need she could see to stray from that. The roots that kept her here were growing even deeper and stronger, now that she had Mati to share things with. Cambria knew there wasn't a single place on the Earth that was better for her than here.

Her aunt moved to sit and the girl eagerly took a seat beside her. There was no reason for Ghita to be ashamed of her condition or her need to rest her body, but Cambi wanted to make sure she did all she could to make the elder female comfortable both physically and emotionally. "Troppo, non non penso. Ho continuato appena i miei studi. Il mio Conor di cugino ha visitato l'altro giorno e ho speso il tempo con Mati..." The last words came out before she even thought of them and she looked down at her lap, her cheeks suddenly burning red, hidden thankfully beneath her dark fur. Maybe her aunt wouldn't think anything of it.

Ghita Marino · 08-19-2010, 06:26 PM

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XD Am not, you deserve it!
And if you don't want Ghita to ask about Mati - shoot me a pm and I'll be more than happy to change it! ^^

Wc: 336~

The elder fae was only now beginning to realize how badly her knee had reacted to the sudden expedition. The pain was probably only there because she hadn't been moving the leg lately, but that didn't help the Italian Aunt right now. Biting her lower lip to prevent a wince from making itself known to her chocolate-hued kin, the fae quickly brought up something to distract the pair, all the while taking her slender hand down to her knee to try and massage the muscles around it, to appease it's anger.

There was a part of Ghita that knew she didn't need to hide her injury from her niece - or anyone, for that matter, but that part was mostly silent, letting the aunt brood. Over time, it would become better, sure, but for now she wanted to seem as strong as possible for everyone - especially her niece, who would without a doubt become troubled if her aunt seemed affected by her injury. She had already shown that she felt as if it was her fault, and Ghita worked at repairing this mindset, but it was a tenuous balance, she felt, and she desperately hoped that Cambria wouldn't worry about her knee. She just wanted to be able to ignore it, to be honest.

She looked up at Cambria from time to time, the fae finally relaxing towards the end of what Cambria said, just before Mati's name surfaced. The injured fae was just about to ask about Cambria's cousin - was he a niece of nephew of hers she didn't know about? - before Cambria's head dipped, almost in shame. Concern immediately bubbled behind Ghita's compassionate turquoise eyes, and she looked to her niece for an explanation. "E 'qualcosa che non va, caro? Hai Mati e hanno una lotta?"" The two seemed to be good friends - and Mati was a sweetheart from what Ghita knew about her, but that didn't mean that a squabble between good friends was out of the question.

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Cambria Marino · 08-30-2010, 01:52 PM

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nope, it's totally fine! 300+

As subtle and strong-faced as her aunt was trying to be about the pain her leg caused her, Cambria could pick up on the small signs of her discomfort. Some might not have noticed them, but as both Ghita's niece and a healer, the girl was especially adept at picking up even such tiny signals. For a moment she entertained the idea of asking if she could give her something for the pain, but quickly held her tongue. Even if she would like such a thing, she doubted her proud aunt would admit to it at this moment in time. Still, Cambi didn't want her to be in any pain and there were many things she could do to help combat that pain, at least for a little while. Her oceanic orbs looked at her relative bright for a moment before standing up. "Lei sta qui, prenderò appena qualcosa."

Not giving Ghita a moment to protest if she did suspect her niece's intentions, Cambria went over to her healing supplies and found her pouch that held meadowsweet. Taking a pinch of the herb, she poured some water in a glass and dropped the meadowsweet in. Stirring it thoroughly, she rose back up and took the infusion back over to her aunt, handing it to her. "Un piccolo rinfresco per lei," she offered innocuously, a hint of victory in her eyes. Ghita wasn't stupid and could no doubt guess what the drink was really for, but Cambria hoped that not mentioning the truth of the matter would keep the elder fey from refusing. Besides, there was nothing deceiving in what she had said; the drink would refresh her aunt.

As soon as she had dropped her head in reaction to her slip of the tongue, Cambria knew that she shouldn't have reacted at all. If she had just acted like that little tidbit of information was nothing out of the ordinary then surely her aunt wouldn't have thought anything of it. The cocoa girl's body language had given it away though. The question though was innocent enough, and one that she could easily answer truthfully. "No, no, niente non ha torto. Non abbiamo avuto alcuna lotta o niente ama ciò." She tried her best to sound as casual as possible, forcing a carefree smile to her lips. Maybe it could just be left at that.

Ghita Marino · 08-30-2010, 03:06 PM

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Prideful Ghita is too proud for her own good. D<

Wc: 428~

Cambria had her aunt pegged exactly right. Yes, the timber-hued fae was in pain from her injury, but wild horses couldn't drag the truth beyond her ebony lips. Especially to Cambria. She knew that the chocolate-hued fae could easily feel guilty about her injury, but that was the last thing she wanted - anyone, her niece especially - to worry about her. Watching with orbs the hue of the heart of turquoise as her niece rose, the questions quickly died on her tongue as she reached where Ghita knew she stored her herbs.

Scowling slightly while the girl's back was turned, she could guess what her niece was up to, and prepared for a fight in the name of pride. Ghita didn't want anything to do with pain medications, against what her body was telling her. She was... stronger than that, deep inside, she knew. Clenching one fist with ivory fingers, then releasing it as the ebony claws began to dig into her pelt, she felt no resentment towards her niece, only that she was too caring. Well, too caring towards her aunt anyways.

Ghita knew full well what was inside that drink was something more than a simple refreshment, but said nothing. Like her mother and uncle, Cambria had been around the proud fae long enough to know how to deal with her in a roundabout way that would save her pride and be good for everyone. Taking the drink, she nodded, thanking her in English. "Thank you, caro." All the same, she gripped the glass in her hand for a few moments, studying the concoction before taking a heavy breath in, and drinking down a gulp or two. Perhaps it would be better for her in the long run, who knew.

And just how Cambria knew that Ghita would react best to not admitting the painkillers inside the drink, the older fae knew when her niece was lying to her. Face still creased with worry, she knew that there was something Cambria was hiding from her, but couldn't even begin to guess at it. Deciding to leave it be, the older fae took another swig of her drink, eyes still trained on her niece. "Voi sapete che si può parlare con me di niente, giusto?"" Ghita felt, no, she hoped that Cambria knew this truth, but couldn't be sure. And besides, reassurance was always good no matter what you were dealing with. Studying the young girl with her kindly but serious gaze, Ghita knew there was something more to what her niece was dealing with.

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Cambria Marino · 09-07-2010, 10:16 PM

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but at least Cambi knows how to weasel around her pride! 8D 300+

Cambria could feel her aunt's eyes on her back as she dug through her herbs and fixed up the pain relief drink. She wanted to give it to Ghita without a fuss, but if the woman made any noise about drinking it then she would have no issues putting on her firm healer face and ordering her aunt to drink the stuff. The girl didn't want it to come to that at all, she wanted to resolve this so Ghita's pride wouldn't have to be injured at all, but she also wasn't going to stand by and do nothing when she had the knowledge and means to help improve the dusky fey's condition. No matter what anyone said, what had happened to her aunt was partially her fault, and so it was her duty not only as a healer but as someone who loved her to do all she could to make things better.

Thankfully though, when she returned and handed Ghita the drink, she took it without any questioning of complaint. "You're welcome," she said brightly. Cambria couldn't help but feel a little triumphant at getting her to take something for her pain. Working to heal her aunt had certainly been a challenge of her Practitioner abilities on the few occasions that she had needed to do it. The girl had learned though and now knew how to handle situations with the woman, at least when it came to something as simple as slipping her something that would reduce pain. Ghita studied the glass for a few minutes before actually drinking any of it, but when she raised the drink to her lips her victory over her aunt's fussiness was complete.

Her nonchalance after the initial reaction hadn't quite worked. While Ghita refrained from questioning the matter directly again, just from the look she gave her Cambria knew that she wasn't fooled. She knew that she wasn't being given the whole truth of the matter, and it honestly made the girl feel guilty. It wasn't that she didn't think her aunt would understand, it just wasn't something she had really talked about to anyone. "Sì, so ciò," she replied confidently. The cocoa fey chewed lightly on the inside of her lip. "Niente non ha torto tra noi a tutto. Tutto è bene...realmente grande." While she couldn't come right out and say it, she didn't want to try and deceive her aunt either. Approaching the topic so obliquely was the best compromise she could come up with.

Ghita Marino · 09-08-2010, 08:28 PM

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:3 Just wondering, where do you see this thread going? Do you want Ghita to press - and find out - about Mati? Or end it soon? Idk, and I don't care more one way or another (although Cambi is too cute to pass up threading with constantly), just lemme know! <3

Also, angsty Ghita can has angstttt. PMS much? XP

Wc: 546~

In the end, Ghita's life was a compromise, a trade-off. Perhaps some religions would say that that is the 'lesson' she needed to learn, or a recurring theme in her life that was prevalent for whatever reason. It had begun with the agouti fae's choice of following her siblings out into the world, or staying with Carlo. The theme emerged once more when Ghita had to choose whether or not to stay in Crimson Dreams permanently - she lost her freedom and gained family. The two virtues were weighed differently on the scale of Ghita, the values changing as life went on.

And the old friend reared it's head once more today. Ghita could choose whether or not to take the medicine Cambria was obviously preparing for her, or remain stubborn, retain pride, and suffer for it physically. She lost her pride, but gained comfort - every way, she lost; every way she won. Once more staring at her niece, a small smile painted her face out of gratitude, towards Cambria's ability and her own choices, which had guided her to the chocolate child's side when she most needed her family around her.

The taste was bitter, and the texture far from the clear, cool spring water that Ghita loved to steal sips from, but it would do - medicine rarely tasted good anyways, now or back when humans were responsible for the chemicals. Perhaps it represented the bitterness in Ghita's heart at having to take the medicine, at being in pain? If one looked at the world through a lens of symbolism, that would be of interest. But Ghita was a simple girl, with simple views, and a relatively simple life, where her main worries were whether or not her leg would heal to support her pack (who'd support the cripple anyways), and what secret her niece was hiding from her.

Ghita had held enough secrets in her past to know the signs of it herself - seeing Cambria hide this secret from her was painful, but also like looking into a mirror. Perhaps the girl wasn't aware of the subtle tics her body betrayed her with, but the aunt was. Sighing, the huntress leaned back, and gritting her teeth, swallowed the rest of the liquid with eyes screwed shut against the taste. Letting out a sigh (of relief perhaps?) afterwards, Ghita studied the glass in her hand for a while, letting the reflection distort her ivory fingers for the moment before speaking again, at first in a quiet tone, then in a tone seeped in resigned regret.

"Forse è colpa mia non ti senti tranquillo condividere con me. Forse non sono stato abbastanza intorno a te, o vi dà motivo di fiducia in me. Forse sono stato ingenuo a pensare che ci si fidi di me così in fretta. Mi sono rimasto in giro dopo sei nato, ti guardava crescere ... ed è colpa mia, io no. Mi scuso per questo."" All the while she spoke, the turquoise orbs remained trained on the slender, fragile glass in her hand, with the remnants of the healing drink still collecting at the bottom, almost as if the older fae didn't dare look at her niece for confirmation or a denial, afraid of what she would find.

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Cambria Marino · 09-18-2010, 04:08 PM

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Ghita totally guilted Cambi into spilling the beans XD 300+

Cambria was really hoping that her slight compromise would work, that it would be enough. She was still telling the truth, nothing she had said had been a lie. Even if she had wanted to lie, she couldn't have spoke anything false to her loving aunt. She was hoping that Ghita would either take what she said at face value or figure out the secret that it lay a veil over on her own. It really wasn't that the girl didn't trust the older fey, it just wasn't something that was easy for her to talk about with anyone. There were only three people that she had openly expressed her preference to, and one of them was Mati herself. Her mother probably knew from her father, even though she hadn't told her herself yet. The girl wasn't trying to live a life of secrecy from her family, it was just hard to go about telling people, especially now that she was so far in.

Ghita sighed, and leaned back, finished off the rest of the concoction that had been made for her. She then studied the slender glass, and Cambi watched her aunt curiously. There seemed to be a lot going through the woman's mind and it appeared that there was a new pain behind her turquoise eyes that wasn't physical at all. When she spoke again, the words and the tone they were soaked in shocked the girl, and that guilt she had felt before pricked her even harder. How could her aunt think that she wasn't comfortable with her? That she didn't trust her? Neither things could be farther from the truth, and to hear her beloved aunt say them with such believing made her shoulders slump and her ears pull back against her head. "Ciò non è la vera Zietta. Niente affatto." There was a tinge of sorrow in her soft voice, a little hurt that Ghita could think that for a moment.

Still, she was hiding something from her. As much as it scared her to share the truth of her lifestyle and heart, it wasn't worth distancing her aunt over, or making the strong fey feel bad. Cambi took a deep breath, her hands clasping together in her lap. Her gaze moved from her aunt downward, looking at a neutral area that was safe and nonthreatening. Heart pounded in her chest as she finally opened her mouth to speak the truth. "Il Mati e sono più di appena gli amici, Ghita di Zia..." She felt breathless after she spoke and her ears pressed against her skull, not knowing what kind of reaction to expect.

Ghita Marino · 09-19-2010, 02:57 PM

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Oh totes. XD But Ghita still loves hugs. <3

Wc: 588~

Whatever it was that Ghita expected to fall from Cambria's mouth, it certainly wasn't the news that was dropped on the aunt now. She half expected that Cambria would agree with her morose prediction, even if the younger wolfess was too kind-hearted to come up with the accusation on her own. It was a quiet, haunting voice that spoke to Ghita about the relationship with her niece, the fae fully expecting the voice to be heard by all of her packmates at times. She had made a mistake in the past in abandoning Savina and her newborn pups - and the regret still haunted her day to day, that was for sure. So why did Cambria so vehemently disagree with her?

Cambria's voice spoke to her as if from a dream, and Ghita almost didn't believe that the sound was gracing her ears. Flicking her ears up in surprise, her eyes sought out her niece's, almost seeking the truth now in what she was saying, a stark change from her mentality only a few moments ago. "Cambria ... D... davvero? ...S...Sei sicuro?"" The strong fae's voice quaked with emotion, so much that she had to lay the glass down in her lap to avoid dropping it altogether. Ghita's family meant the world to her, and to hear her niece finally abolishing her worst fears... it was like a sunrise after a very long winter.

Setting the glass down on the floor beneath the bed, Ghita sensed with some small amount of dread that she had trodden upon territory where she was unwelcome. Biting her lip, the cool, familiar contact of metal reassured her, and she waited with baited breath until the girl began to speak. To speak the truth, Ghita was surprised, so much so that the ears which had lain against her head once more in dread flicked skywards once more. But she was not repulsed in the slightest. In fact, relief spread over her like a cool spring, and she couldn't help her voice from breaking out. "Questo è tutto?""

In Ghita's turquoise orbs, what Cambria said simply couldn't mean anything else - she wasn't stupid, after all, and could piece together the puzzle once the final piece fell into her lap. But it meant nothing to Ghita - even though she wasn't inclined that way, and was happy with her male mate, she held nothing against wolves who found mates in the same gender. In fact, Anu was one of the wolves Ghita respected most, and her sexuality was nothing to be ashamed of, or accounted for.

Leaning over, the agouti fae pulled Cambria into a warm embrace, resting her chin on top of Cambria's head in between her flattened ears. "Grazie per avermelo detto, caro. Ma questo nulla di cui vergognarsi, niente da nascondere - dovete sapere che, va bene? Ti amo ancora, e sarà sempre, non importa cosa.""

Perhaps later Ghita's mind would travel down the path of worry, knowing that Mati was a good girl through and through, just like her Cambria, but she still would fret over how much her niece had grown up. She was in an adult relationship now, filled with the same dangers as any romance was. Perhaps her mind would piece it together, and her mind would wonder what plans the two lovers had fabricated inside the privacy of Old Red. But right here, right now, Cambria was still her baby niece needing comfort, and the fae still intended on being there every step of the way.

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Cambria Marino · 10-03-2010, 05:40 PM

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Maybe close up here? 500+

Cambria couldn't believe that Ghita thought those things. She had always loved her aunt so much, from the very first time they had met. Things might have started out shaky, what with breaching the topic of her accident with the mind-altering drugs, but the elder fey had fixed everything and comforted the frightened little girl. Their relationship had only grown and strengthened since then, at least in Cambi's eyes, so to hear her aunt voice such deep regret and doubts was nothing less than a shock to her heart. She didn't care that Ghita hadn't always been there. It wasn't like she had left her all alone in the world. Though, if Ghita were to leave now, it would be quite hurtful. Back then though, Cambria hadn't known her, and so no harm had been done by her initial absence from her life.

Her aunt seemed equally shocked when those worries were denied, her voice faltering like Cambria had never heard it before. She looked to her relative's surprised turquoise orbs, and nodded her head. "Certo sono sicuro. Lei è una delle persone fido dei la maggior parte della Zietta. L'amo." She spoke without any hesitance or uncertainty in her voice. Ghita was very nearly like a second mother to her, nearly as close as any aunt and niece could be. Hopefully after hearing this, Ghita would stop having any thoughts like that. Cambria didn't want the woman to think that she didn't trust and love her, didn't want her to think that she blamed her for something that hadn't even hurt her in the first place. She clearly felt guilty for not being around when she was younger, but the cocoa girl didn't see any reason that she needed to feel such.

The slight fey's heart constricted painfully as the time between her exposing words stretched out before her. What would her aunt think of the fact that she was attracted to, in love with, another female? Most in the pack knew that Anu was of the persuasion, and they still respected her and from what Cambria knew, no one treated her differently. But still, it was different when it came to telling a family member such a thing, and everyone in their family was matched up with the opposite sex. To her knowledge, she was the first Marino to ever deviate in such a way. Ghita's first words were odd, and the girl sheepishly glanced back up at the woman. What did she mean by that? It didn't sound like a negative response, but it didn't exactly sound positive either.

She didn't have to wonder and worry much longer though, as her aunt's arms wrapped around her and pulled her into a strong hug. When she spoke again, words of affirmation, Cambria's body finally relaxed and she lightly hugged her aunt back, softly nuzzling against her neck. "Ringraziarla per capire. So che non è niente di vergognarsi di io appena...l'inquietudine che altri penseranno di me. Non voglio sia essere doluto di noi." Her feelings weren't the only ones at stake, she worried for Mati's sake, as well as her own. It had been harder for the Church fey to open herself up. "L'amo anche la Zietta. Ringraziarla." She thanked Ghita for being accepting, and for loving her unconditionally, just as Cambria loved her.

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