Quoted By:
“Tryphosa, how are your sisters doing?” You shift the subject, hoping to ease Tryphosa’s pain with what might be a more pleasant topic if what mentioned earlier holds true, “You said Mona is doing better?”
“She’s doing much better!” Tryphosa beams, a wave of joy and relief washing over you, pulling away any of the lingering guilt or shame she shared moments ago, “One of the cybernetics labs developed a series of implants and therapies which have helped to strengthen her muscles, her… genetic damage has meant she’s always been extremely frail. She’s never had issues in microgravity, but under being at burn or on a colony was torture… I pray you’ll be able to meet her soon, and my other sisters.”
“That’s wonderful news,” The words are redundant but you say them anyways, if for nothing else but Vivima’s comprehension, “Has Quina found her bond yet?”
“No, she’s still very jealous.” Tryphosa laughs, not even the slightest hint of cruelty tainting it, “She makes all kinds of faces when I think about you, she still acts so immature sometimes.”
“Sounds like Garma when no one else is around,” Vivima comments, “You’ve seen it sometimes, Felix, I know you have.”
“He’s gotten better.” You defend your friend… Huh, that’s an easy thought now.
“He has.” Viv agrees, “He’ll be a great leader, you and Casval gave him something he really needed, and Artesia is…”
“She’s special to him.” Tryphosa finishes Viv’s sentence again, the two of them still holding hands, “It was strong even the last time she was here, I could feel the change. I hope my sisters find someone like that someday, just…”
“Not the way your father intended.” You finish for <span class="mu-i">her</span> now, “...Any luck bringing them onto our side?”
Tryphosa sighs sadly, “None. I’ve always been the rogue, even if… even if some of that may not have really been me. We share bodies but our minds aren’t the same, not completely. I may not be the person to turn them.”
“Have you discussed it with them directly?” Vivima questions, tilting her head again, that earlier feeling striking once more - That’s <span class="mu-i">exactly</span> how Artesia does it, Viv’s picked up the mannerism!
“I’ve discussed father with Quina and Mona, and the others a long time ago - That he doesn’t love us. They still refuse to believe it, it’s a blind spot in their minds.”
“Some people don’t notice things that are right in front of them.” Vivima replies quietly, violet eyes filled with sadness, her clear voice carrying easily even over the crunching of grass and leaves underfoot, “Maybe I’ll bond with one, I could bring them over. I’ll be strong enough, no conditioning can stop a woman of the Zabi family.”
