Days Go By

[Mishel Kryze]

"Yeah!" Riona exclaimed at the mention of ice cream, her eyes were still taking everything in. In her eyes everything was new, in her eyes, it was all so wondrous. She wanted to try everything. A day out for mother and daughter is probably what was needed, Rio loved every moment she got with her mum. It was said that she sometimes imitated either Siobhan or Tegaea when both were away. Her most recent exhibition was captured on holo she slipped into Siobhan's shoes and was walking around the top floor with at least two very nervous servants.

They had time to spare before the show, and the young Baroness was tucked into her mother's arm holding her skirt. The crowd was quite large and she wanted to make sure she was at her mum's side. She'd take whatever flavor of ice cream her mum got for her.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan confidently led her little girl to the ice cream vendour. There was quite a crowd, but it did not take long until they were being served. The Countess looked over the various flavours before pointing to one. "I think you'll enjoy vanilla, angel. I like it a lot." If [member="Tempest"] or Chesna were here, either of them would probably make a joke about how this was the only instance when Siobhan liked it vanilla! "Vanilla for both of us, please."


"Yes, Your Ladyship," the ice cream vendour spoke in a deferential tone. Firemane had contributed to the zoo and the people working had instructions about how to handle the Countess when she came to visit. "There you go, dear," she gave Riona a warm smile when she passed her ice cream cone over to her. "You have a lovely daughter, Your Worship."


The Countess grinned. She was radiant and best of spirits. Perhaps she was remembering the day when she took [member="Galina Kerrigan-Alcori"] to the zoo on Kaeshana, before the Netherworld incident, before the exodus...before her apocalyptic clashes with [member="Matsu Xiangu"].


Young Galina had been so shy then, still adjusting to a new life away from the arctic island where she'd survived for eight years on her own in the wilderness, with nothing but her wits, bow and arrow and the fur on her clothes. She'd made her mother so proud. To Siobhan, there could be nothing more important than family, as cheesy as that sounded. "I do indeed. Riona, say thank you to the nice woman. Don't eat too fast, dear. That wouldn't be good for you."

 

[Mishel Kryze]

"Thank yous," Riona says to the vendor as she walks with her mother toward a bench. The vanilla is sweet and she enjoys the texture picking at the ice cream cone with her other hand just as well as eating it. Getting the sweet treat on her fingers, and then proceeded to lick them off. It was a great day today, at least Rio thought so! They had gone to a ceremony and were now at the zoo! And well if her mother had warned her about not eating it, too fast well then she did not heed it. One might've thought that the young girl inhaled the treat for it was gone as soon as she sat down. Her face covered in the treat and a little giggle that was followed by a hiccup! See Rio, this is why you should listen to your mum, now you've got the hiccups, oh dear.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Listening to mummy was usually a good idea! Well, she was wrong on occasion, but not that often! Totally not. "Riona, you shouldn't eat too fast," Siobhan reproached her gently. Seeing that the little one was suffering from a hiccup, the Countess gently applied pressure to the upper stomach area in quick downward movements, trying to time each movement to coincide with the hiccups. This writer read about this while using google Fu. "Could we have a glass of water?" she asked the vendor, who promptly passed one over. "There, drink this, sweetie," she told her daughter after wiping her face with a tissue.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

There was another hiccup, oh no - Riona. The toddler made a face and then looked with a quirked brow as her mother worked to help relieve the young girl of her hiccups. Oh dear, Riona doesn't like having her face wiped she fussed at it. And then looked at the glass of water as it handed to her. She looked her mum and then back to the glass of water, and another hiccup. Riona drank the glass of water slowly, her eyes looking between the cup of water and her mother as she drank it. When she finished the water she sat and waited, sat and waited - no more hiccups! Hoorah!

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"Stop fussing, dear. You want to look pretty and clean," Siobhan declared authoritatively. "Like all good Ashiran girls, huh?" Finally little Riona was freed from the bane of hiccups. "There, no more hiccups! Come on, we don't want to miss the show." By the time the two had arrived in the arena, they'd missed a couple minutes. However that had mostly just been the announcement, so it wasn't really a loss.


Before their eyes was a very large pool of water. One of the Eldorai minions working at the zoo tossed a ball into the pool. Suddenly, as if on cue, a dolphine emerged from the deep, holding the aforementioned ball between its flippers, before leaping up into the air and diving back into the pool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8AvEstX_3E​

 

[Mishel Kryze]

The show had just started and what a treat of a show it was! Even better for mum, they were out of the splash zone. Rio enjoyed the songs used for the dolphins to perform to, and like every child there. She was more than impressed, all four dolphins jumped and splashed, splashed and jumped, they even danced! Well, danced as dolphins do, there were shrills of excitement and bursts of laughter and excitement from the young Baroness. Midway through the show, Rio was on her feet her arms moving in motion with the music. When it came time to sit back down again Riona asked to sit on her mum's lap, the best view would be from there of course!

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan appreciated being outside of the splash zone. After all, she was wearing fancy clothes and did not like them getting wet. There was a smile on her face when she watched a joyful Riona move in rhythm with the music, while the dolphins jumped around, danced and performed various acrobatic feats.


Truly, Siobhan was enjoying it as well. Back on her homeworld, there'd been few animals to see. It had been a polluted hellhole. Proles like her family lived in dirty, disease-ridden slums. It had been her dream to see the ocean.


She chuckled a bit, then pulled her little girl into her lap. After all, mummy's lap was the best place to sit on and she was endowed with a pair of nice pillows that were very comfortable to snuggle against. "Enjoying the show, sweetie? I love dolphins," she said genuinely, watching trainer feed one of the majestic, aquatic mammals. "Their hearing is so good some of them can survive even while blind."

 

[Mishel Kryze]

"Yeah!" Riona replies jubilantly, she's excited about the show and delighted in it, but like all good things - the show came to an end. Now how could their day be topped! Cathedral and a dolphin show, plus ice cream. Truly, this would be a day that would remain with Riona for years to come. The young baroness got down and waited for her mum, the Zoo was filled with more activities and the Baroness didn't seem to be running out of energy, anytime soon. Her hand linked with mum's she looked up at her with awe, snuggling up close her mum's side. Snuggling up she seemed happy and content just to stand there, but she wonders, "what do now?"

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


The show eventually came to a close and the guests slowly departed. But it seemed Riona had not run out of energy yet! Siobhan felt a bit concerned about the little one exhausting herself.


"You're a big bundle of energy, aren't you? Take some pity on your mother, dear. My bones are very old," she joked, picking up Riona and pulling her into her arms. She held the toddler close and spun her around a bit. "Well, you do need a proper meal, and there's a toy shop nearby. Want to get a friend for Georgie?" Like a giraffe plushie.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Riona giggled when her mum spun her around, moments like these were the ones to cherish, and little Rio did agree - she was getting hungry. "I wantings cheese, cheese sammich!" She declared and nodded at the mention of getting a new toy. Nestling herself into the crook of her mummy's neck she seemed to settle there right up against her. At four years old this was most likely the best day of her life. She memorises the smell of her mum's perfume and what it feels like to be held by her. She looks up around at the trees and from her point of view they're all so pretty, and all the animals are too.

"I wove you, mummy," she says just loud enough for her mum to hear.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Spoiler

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZ1fECbzDxo[/media]

Spoiler

I'm five years old
It's getting cold
I've got my big coat on
I hear your laugh
And look up smiling at you
I run and run
Past the pumpkin patch
And the tractor rides
Look now, the sky is gold
I hug your legs
And fall asleep on the way home
I don't know why all the trees change in the fall
But I know you're not scared of anything at all
Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away
But I know I had the best day with you today
I'm thirteen now
And don't know how
My friends could be so mean
I come home crying
And you hold me tight
And grab the keys
And we drive and drive
Until we found a town far enough away
And we talk and window shop
'Till I forgotten all their names


I don't know who I'm gonna talk to now at school
But I know I'm laughing
On the car ride home with you
Don't know how long it's gonna take to feel okay
But I know I had the best day with you today
I have excellent mothers
Their strength is making me stronger
Ashira smiles on my little sisters
Inside and out they're better than I am
I grew up in a pretty house
And I had space to run and I
had the best days with you
There is a video I found
From back when I was four
You set up a paint set in the kitchen
And you're talking to me
It's the age of princesses and pirate ships
And the seven dwarfs
And Mama's smart
And you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world
And now I know why the all the trees change in the fall
I know you were on my side
Even when I was wrong
And I love you for giving me your eyes
Staying back and watching me shine and
I didn't know if you knew
So I'm taking this chance to say
That I had the best day with you today.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"I love you, too, angel. So very much," Siobhan spoke with mushy sincerity, holding the little one close to her. Today, her mind was free of worries. She was not thinking of her new archenemy Matsu Xiangu, the Eldorai game of stars or the Silvers' inability to actually fight Sith. No, right now it was just her and lil Riona. Moments like these were something to cherish, especially since they were so fleeting.


Speaking of Siobhan's perfume, it smelt like Serenno Roses. In any case, the two would stop at a nearby café. The waiters knew how to handle Siobhan and thus they were very friendly. Since she had a kid with her, Siobhan kept the flirting with the pretty waitress to a minimum. Riona would get a cheese sandwich and juice, while Siobhan had a bacon one. Once they'd had their meal, they would move on to the toy shop.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Lunch was great and Rio was quick to eat! She was excited to go to the toy shoppe! Indeed this day was before anything that would yet happen, and it would serve as a reminder of the best things in life. Walking from the little cafe to the shoppe was great. Well, it was great when she was at the little cafe - everyone was so nice and polite to her and her mum! But then, Rio thinks everyone should be polite (even if they're being super polite because her mum is the Exalted Lady). Everywhere they walked people seem to make room for them, and others were a little surprised to see a little girl with the Countess.

In the shoppe there was a crowd, Rio stuck close to mummy and looked up to her and held onto her leg. After all mums are great to be with when you're nervous or scared. Shying away from the crowd the toddler didn't dare budge until her mum did.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]

There was quite a crowd in the gift shop, which had all sorts of toys, plushies and anything else that could win a little child's heart. Some of the people shot Siobhan and Riona looks that varied in nature, many just went about their business. A number of Eldorai, along with some humans and aliens, were here with their families, much like the two Kerrigans.


"Hey, sweetie, nothing to be afraid. Come on. Let's go find a new friend for Mr. Georgie," Siobhan said encouragingly. She reached down and slid her hand into her daughter's, threading their fingers together. Confidently, she walked walked through the shop and browsed through the various shelves. "Anything you like, dear? You can pick one toy, and I'll pay. Take your time. What about that giraffe? Or the monkey?" The last one was somewhat ironic because conservative Eldorai referred to humans as 'monkeighs', though that racist slur was less common in public now.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Riona felt a lot better with mum holding her hand. As her mother strode with confidence the young girl decided that she too could walk into the store with confidence. When her mother would stop to browse through the shelves, Riona too, would stop and browse through the shelves. She gave her mum a bright smile and looked at the two toys presented. Giving her head a shake of no, the toddler decided to go elsewhere and pointed to a plush of a big cat.

Truly, Rio was a Firemane. The animal she had chosen resembled that of the Kerrigan coat of arms' lion. Taking the plush lion into her arms she then presented the toy to her mum. This would be Georgie's new friend, he and TomTom the Ewok would be with Georgie who was now having the time of his little life with the help. In fact, they were creating a little collage of Georgie's adventures today!

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan waited patiently while Riona browsed the shelves, until the young one settled on her choice: A Lion! Truly, she was a little Firemane. Coincidentally, a lion graced the Kerrigan coat of arms. Siobhan liked it when her minions called her the Lioness of Tygara. The magnificient felines were strong and fierce, but also loyal pack animals. It was a bad idea to get between a lioness and her cub.


"That's a lovely lion, dear. I'm sure Georgie and TomTom will be happy about their new friend," she said sweetly, accepting the profferred lion. "Lions are majestic and loyal animals. Come on, I'll go pay. Do you have a name?" she asked while she walked to the counter.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Naming a lion was a big decision and the wee girl wasn't sure what name would be best for him. Rather, Riona decided that her lion was in fact a lady lion who had lots of hair. After this would be her toy and she could decide the plush animal's fate and so as she looked upon this toy lion she thought of what to call her.

"Shiri!" Riona declared jubliantly as she waited with her mother for the toy to be purchased from the shoppe. The cashier complimented Rio on her looks! She was as beautiful as her mum, which to Rio was the best thing someone could have told her.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"Shiri it is! That's a nice name," Siobhan declared cheerfully. It did not take long before they were served at the counter. This was probably partly because the Countess was very important and veryone knew it. Eldorai society was sadly not egalitarian at all! Because the cashier complimented Riona on being as beautiful as her mother and said nice things about the matriarch's hair, the Countess gave her a tip.


Thusly, mother and daughter departed the shop, hand in hand. Their speeder was waiting outside the zoo. "Well, that was a nice day, wasn't it? I'm glad you had a good day and made some friends. I've got their mother's number, so we can keep in touch. Let's go home now. You can show Shiri to Adril and Livia!" the Firemane matriarch suggested jovially.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Adril and Livia were Rio's little sisters, they were still babies but Rio was quite fond of them. "Yeah!" She exclaimed and nodded along with mum, "today was a good day." The young girl agreed and walked beside mum as they left the zoo and headed for their speeder.

Their help was there and greeted Rio with Georgie. The Baroness introduced her Georgie to Shiri. Declaring that the two were now the best of friends. Climbing into the speeder she looked at her mum and smiled again, today had been wonderful. An Ashirian Ceremony, making new friends, the Zoo and Shiri! The little noble yawned finding herself suddenly overcome with fatigue, it seemed the day's events had finally caught up with her.

Young Rio nuzzled beside her mother holding Shiri and Georgie close as she drifted off to sleep...

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Night had fallen upon New Santaissa. The city was less polluted by traffic than a comparable capital in the Core, and so the journey through the sky was not inundated with speeders and skycars, which suited Siobhan just fine. She leaned back into her chair, watching the sights pass by them as the craft swept through the sky. This was her city. She might not be an Eldorai by blood, but they were a people she identified with despite their manifold flaws. She had sworn to protect them and their world.


Hearing Riona yawn, she wrapped her arm around the girl while she drifted off into a peaceful slumber. It seemed that all the excitement had finally caught up with the young one. Siobhan hummed a lullaby, though she kept her voice low since she did not want to wake the toddler. Finally, the speeder had reached the villa, returning to the landing pad like a bird to its nest.


"Shall I carry her, Your Worship?" the vehicle's driver asked after having opened the craft's door for her Lady. Shaking her head, Siobhan gently picked up Riona and step out of the vehicle.


"No need. I'll take her to her room. You can carry her toys. Lay them in the bed together with her. She likes to cuddle them." She turned briefly, gazing upon the New Santaissa's cityline, then carried her daughter into the villa. Ultimately, little Riona would be laid down in her bed, alongside Georgie and Rishi.