Short Story: [RS] Meeting Parents [Lyrissa]

At long last, the very belated short story that should have been up in September. It's written by Nic Wooden and edited by me. Again, I'm so sorry for the delay for this reward and I'll do my best to catch up to speed with it by next month!

This short story is another installment in the "Meeting Parents" series — a flash forward to after the endings of the game where the couple meets either Raenelle or the LI's parents formally as their partner for the first time. 

I hope you enjoy this!

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Raenelle slowly chews her bite of food, the deliciously spiced chicken suddenly bland in her mouth. Swallowing uncomfortably, Raenelle glances at her girlfriend as she struggles to think of something to say to lighten the tense atmosphere. She casts her gaze from Lyrissa, who is seated beside her, eyes downcast and expression stormy, to Avalyn, Lyrissa's mom, who is sitting directly across from them and wearing a decidedly irritated look.

"All I said, Lyrissa," Avalyn presses, "is that this would be an incredible opportunity for you. This position would be far more stable and have much better growth opportunities." 

Raenelle scowls to herself. Really? Why is she still continuing to pursue this topic despite Lyrissa's obvious upsetness?

Avalyn's frown deepens at the lack of response, as she attempts to cajole Lyrissa to look at her. "Lord Divon was very kind to think of you first when there are no doubt dozens of mages clamoring for the same spot. So I would think you would at least deign to consider it."

At this, Lyrissa's head snaps up, furious, her fork clattering to her plate as she hurls back a response. "I don't have to consider it, Mother. I didn't even ask for your help; I'm happy where I'm at, and I don't care about more money or prestige. Stop trying to force me to be someone who puts work over everything else in their life. That's you, not me!" 

Avalyn stares at her daughter in shock, and the words hang in the air, impossible to take back, assuming Lyrissa even wanted to. Raenelle remains frozen, unsure of what will happen next. However, just as Raenelle contemplates taking the initiative to ask Avalyn to leave Lyrissa’s house for her, she sees her girlfriend take a deep breath and close her eyes, squaring her shoulders as she struggles to calm herself down. For a moment, it stays uncomfortably silent, but at last, Lyrissa's eyes reopen, and she continues, doing her best to keep her voice soft and level.

"That's why we're like this, isn't it? You've always valued my future over my present." She shakes her head, the slightest quiver to her chin as she looks across the chin and entreats Avalyn. "Mother, you said you would stop doing this… Please, things were going so well tonight… Why do you always have to tread all over what I want?"

The silence stretches for another minute before Avalyn breaks it, her voice much more subdued than before. "I apologize, Lyrissa; you know I'm only trying to do what's best for you." Avalyn shakes her head. "You are right, though. You are grown now and have your own ideas. I will try to keep that in mind." She gives a wane smile, and Raenelle can see them both begin to relax, the argument winding down.    

"Thank you, Mother," Lyrissa responds quietly, "that's all I ask. I like what I do, and that's more important to me than being rich or going down in history."    

Raenelle sees an opportunity to rejoin the conversation with a bit of teasing and doesn't hesitate to take it. "Honestly, you don't have to worry about that; we might already go down in history." Her gaze slides to Avalyn. "Besides, it's not like Rissa's job is totally thankless; she had that glowing commendation at work last week for her latest mission. I'd say she's doing just fine and will have plenty of opportunities."

Lyrissa's cheeks pinken only the tiniest at Raenelle's praise, but it's Avalyn's reaction that Raenelle is waiting for, and her gaze flicks to the older woman.

"You did?" She looks stunned, and at Lyrissa's nod, Avalyn breaks out into a pleased smile. "Lyrissa, that's amazing!" A bit of a frown replaces her smile. "Why didn't you tell me?"    

"I was saving it to share with you in person tonight." Lyrissa mumbles.     

"Well, that's incredible. I'm proud of you. It sounds like you're really working hard." Avalyn smiles at her daughter, looking satisfied, but Lyrissa's own expression dims a bit, clearly worried that they'll stay stuck on the topic of work for the rest of the night.    

Feeling her heart ache for her girlfriend, Raenelle gently reaches out under the table to give her hand a reassuring squeeze. It seems to work as Lyrissa shoots her a grateful grin and straightens slightly. Then, seemingly bolstered by Raenelle's touch and eager to move on, Lyrissa takes a deep breath and begins the conversation anew, though the topic she chooses is not one that Raenelle would've expected.    

"So… Mother. How are things going with Terique?" Raenelle holds back a snort at the immediate look of regret Lyrissa has once the words pass her lips. Even so, Raenelle doesn't expect her to truly have to suffer; Avalyn had never been one to talk much about her new blooming relationship.    

However, unfortunately for Lyrissa, it seems that this time is an exception. Rather than dodging the inquiry, Avalyn's expression unexpectedly gentles, a small smile quirking at her lips. "It's going well. He has convinced me to take a short vacation this summer. We plan to spend a week away together, though we haven't quite decided where. A nice bed and breakfast, perhaps." 

Lyrissa's regret at her inquiry into her mom's dating life melts away into surprise.    

"A vacation? You never take vacations! You never seem to take any breaks from work at all!" She grins teasingly, "Wow, Mother, look how far you've come; I'm so proud of you."    

Avalyn chuckles fondly. "I suppose I have; I believe I have you to thank for that lesson; it's proving to be a most important one."    

Mother and daughter share a warm smile at Avalyn's admission, and Lyrissa dips her head in acknowledgment. "I'm glad, Mother; I think I've learned plenty of things from you over the years as well."     

It's quiet for a moment or two, but the atmosphere has sufficiently thawed. Taking advantage of this, Raenelle moves to sling her arm around her girlfriend's shoulder, an exaggerated pout on her lips.

"I'm feeling a little left out here, Rissa. Why aren't you claiming to have learned anything from me?" As intended, Lyrissa bursts into giggles, leaning into Raenelle's touch and using her other hand to pat Raenelle's arm consolingly.

"Oh, don't worry, I learn plenty of things from you every day!"

Raenelle's lips tilt in a smirk, preening slightly at the playful flattery. "Of course you do; I know everything about everything, don't you know that?"

Lyrissa's gaze turns sly. "Well, I'm not sure about that. Besides, I didn't say I learned anything useful from you!" At that barb, Raenelle leans back with a dramatic offended gasp, pulling her arm away from Lyrissa's shoulder as she glares with false outrage, causing Lyrissa to double over in a fit of laughter.     

Out of the corner of her eye, Raenelle notices Avalyn watching them closely. Raenelle turns just the slightest bit towards her, unable to stop herself from cocking an eyebrow at the older woman as she sees the evaluating way Avalyn seems to be staring at her. To Raenelle's surprise, Avalyn raises her own brow slightly in response before tilting her head to the still laughing Lyrissa, who once again leans forward to slip her hand between the crook of Raenelle's arm to pull her closer.    

Raenelle decides to keep up the wounded act and cries. "Ouch, how cruel and heartless can you be? Honestly, remind me again why I put up with such blatant abuse from you?"

Lyrissa's smile seems to grow even larger. "Isn't it obvious? It's because you love me." Lyrissa shoots her a quick wink and gestures to herself. "I mean, how could you not? I'm pretty irresistible."    

Raenelle lets out a dramatic sigh before leaning forward to place a quick peck on Lyrissa's cheek. "I suppose that must be it. I couldn't think of any other reason."    

Avalyn pointedly clears her throat as if to remind the two that she's still here. Still, as Raenelle and Lyrissa turn back to face her, Raenelle finds herself surprised by Avalyn's softened expression. Some of her hard lines seem to smooth away, and her gaze has considerably gentled as she takes in her daughter's obvious joy and love towards Raenelle. 

Despite Avalyn's and Lyrissa's arguments, it's still clear that Avalyn loves her daughter and wants her to be happy — and maybe, she’s finally beginning to accept that Raenelle is part of that happiness.     

As if sensing Raenelle's unspoken line of thought, Avalyn catches Raenelle's eye and gives her a tiny nod, almost as if in confirmation.

As the moment passes, dinner and regular chatter resume, and the scene is far more enjoyable for everyone involved. Propping one elbow on the table and cupping her chin, Raenelle's gaze remains staunchly focused on her girlfriend and Avalyn's conversation. Not everything between the two of them can be mended overnight, of course, but Raenelle is sure that they are both working towards healing things every day. 

Luckily enough, Avalyn seems to be willing to extend that grace towards her as well — which is a good thing, because whatever the future holds, she's not going anywhere else.