03-12-2009, 04:07 PM
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[/html]Tayui nodded quietly as Dawali spoke, content to hear his story, and wishing she could hear more. She wondered why he referred to his daughter as one he had -- was she dead? Gone? Estranged? Tayui did not wish to ruin the conversation or make Dawali feel uncomfortable, so she remained silent. There was a slight lull in the conversation, but soon enough, Dawali was speaking again. He leaned in closer as he began to speak, wondering why his voice had suddenly become softer. She tilted her head, frowning slightly as she listened. The father? Ah, yes. The father. Or lack of one. He was not their father. He was more like a kindly donor who happened to contribute to her cause. But he was not a father. Ember was more of a father to these children then Haku could ever be, and Ember was not even male. But it mattered not to her. They did not require a male to be connected to them by blood to be called their father. She had Pilot and Dawali, both of which would make much better role models than Haku ever could.
"Then I shall be a widow. Their father may as well be dead. He does not even know they exist, and I would prefer for it to remain as such." She paused. Dawali had the right to know who it had been. She had not told anyone yet, but she knew she would have to tell Dawali. He was one of the leaders, afterall. He had a right to know -- for the safety of the tribe as a whole. She was not being selfish; she just wanted to keep them safe. No, it was not selfishness, but pride. All a warrior had after they were stripped of their armour was their pride. Until that time, she had her puppies, her life, her love. But deep within, she still had her pride. "Haku Soul, of Dahlia de Mai," she stated.