Days Go By

[Mishel Kryze]

Tessara Tharneth was among the lower-middle class and she thanked the Exalted High Lady for her generosity and kindness. "My Sabrielle delights in Ashira, we come here often so she might bathe in our Goddess's presence, it is good that she has found a friend." Tessara had long ago learned to tune out the upper-middle class. She clapped along with the music and watched as Sabrielle and Riona partook together in the meal.

Sabrielle and Riona were with other children, also of the lower-middle, and lower classes. Akyna, Utana and Ravina were the other girls and their mothers were with them friends of Tessara's it looked like as they nervously gestured to Riona. Tessara gave them the all clear and relieve was seen through their eyes and all of them looked fondly over the girls. Miracles can happen, "your Rio is beautiful, and she takes so well to our language." She points out as Riona could be heard singing with her new friends, and as they draw their attention upward toward the priestess. There seems to be a delighted feeling all throughout the Cathedral, words were being spoken now as the ceremony would be heading toward the benediction.

Tessara quietly waved for her daughter, as she led her back to their side of the Cathedral. Riona made her way back to her own mother, her little shoulders coming up underneath her mother's hand. She smiled at her mother, "good, Sabi says she comes all the time." And then she looked toward the other end of the Cathedral where Sabi was with the other girls.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


In a way, Siobhan was happy that her daughter was bonding with commoners. Undoubtedly many aristos would turn up their nose and proclaim this inappropriate behaviour, but she did not want her child to grow up with a sense of entitlement and succumb to the belief that she was better than others because of wealth and a fancy title. Both Siobhan and Tegaea had come from the gutter, after all. Moreover, to put it plainly, she distrusted many nobles.


So a smile graced her face. "Thank you. I'm a bit surprised - in a good way. Riona's my little angel. She's been fairly insulated, so I'm happy to see get outside contact. Your Sabrielle seems like a lovely girl." Siobhan was pompous and vain, but she did not talk down people because they were less wealthy and prestigious. Neither factor said anything about a person's worth or morals.


The chatter quitened in the Cathedral, for the benediction neared. Tessara departed with her daughter, and Riona returned to her mother's side. "That's great, sweetie. First day out and you already made a friend. I'm proud of you," Siobhan would ask [member="Mirien Valdier"] to discreetly look into the family just to be safe, but she had a good feeling. She looked toward the elevated podium, seeing the Priestess call the worshippers to order. Once again, chanting and elegant, classical music filled the hall as the Eldorai praised the Goddess.


"Ok. It's benediction time. Basically, there'll be chanting and we all walk towards the podium to receive Ashira's blessing. The Priestess puts her palm on your forehead to pass on Ashira's wisdom and invoke her protection."

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Riona smiled up at her mother, "Sabi is my bestest friend!"

The young girl nodded as the benediction began, she enjoyed the chanting and walked with her mother as they followed the procession. It was so beautiful for Riona to hear, as the Eldorai lifted their voices so that Ashira might hear them and bestow her blessings upon them. She looked to her friends, who waved at her and then talked to each other and then waved again. "Can I play with Sabi, mummy?" Her eyes look up at the beautiful architecture, this was part of her home now. A Baroness of Tygara, a Daughter of a proud family. As they approached the podium, it would be an approach that Riona would make many more times in her life, it would become routine, familiar and something of comfort for her.

And finally, they were there - receiving Ashira's blessing.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"Of course you can, sweetie. I can talk with her mother about you two visiting each other," Siobhan said happily. She slid her hand into her daughter's as both walked towards the podium.


Soft chanting filled the air, praising the Goddess and seeking her favour. At the elevated podium, the Priestess and the Cannoness were passing the Goddess' blessing on to the believers. As chance would have it, mother and daughter would end up with Eileithya. For just a moment, the red-maned Priestess smirked when she saw the Countess. "My, my, I'm happy that my efforts to lead you into Ashira's divine bosom have paid off," she whispered quietly to Siobhan, who rolled her eyes.


Then Eileithya was all business again. Bending down, she placed her open palm on Riona's forehead. "May Ashira's light guide you, child. May she be a candle in the dark. May she love, protect and lead you to salvation. Carry her and her children in your heart," then she sprinkled a few drops of blessed water over the girl's head before repeating the procedure with Siobhan.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

As they walked back to their seats, Riona looked up to her mother, and tugged on her skirt, "mummy." She says softly, "mummy," she says again, "what's a divine bosom?" The young girl's attention was snapped up by the Priestess who finished the benediction. Although the four-year-old was still curious, "and whats tis, what tis salva-, salava-, that - dat word." She whispered her speech issues coming into play as she tried to remember the word exactly. Her little cheeks grew pink as she became flustered. She heard a whisper of her name and turned to see Akyna waving at her. "Mummy, can we bring Mama here?" She asks referring to Tegs, "maybe, maybe Mama can be in Asheera's divine busums too!"

Riona said that last part a little too loudly, but most of the other patrons chuckled, some giggled and the rest stayed as far from that as possible. Then again, the more conservative sort seemed to want to leave the Cathedral as soon as possible. Anytime Riona looked to them they diverted their gaze. The young girl wasn't sure why they all looked at her, whispers ran throughout the conservative circle but the liberal end of the whispers were louder. "Are we goings to meet the pretty lady now?" Rio asks as she looks up at where the Priestess was.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"Salvation is, well, basically the Eldorai believe if you're a good person and believe in Ashira one day she'll take you to a very special, happy place, where you'll always be with her," Siobhan said by way of explanation.


Then Riona brought up the most important question in the thread. Suddenly, Siobhan burst out into laughter. Unsurprisingly, she was quite loud. Naturally this resulted in them getting odd looks. The old guard was even more sour than a bitter lemon. "Hahaha. Tell you what, sweetie, why don't you ask mama?" She could imagine that being a very fun conversation! There was only one divine bosom Tegaea worshipped.


Slowly, the benediction came to a close and the bulk of the worshippers departed the Cathedral. In some cases, they made a donation to the Church before leaving. Some would be making confession and seek the guidance of Ashira's priestesses. "I think the pretty lady is coming over to us now," Siobhan said with a smile when Eileithya approached them.


"I think you upset Lady Melia's vulnerable ego. I approve," Eileithya said brightly, planting a soft kiss on Sio's lips, then she turned to Riona and bent down so that they were on the same level. "So you must be Riona. Your mummy has told me so much about you. She's very proud. I'm glad you enjoyed the ceremony. We try to not to make things too stuffy."

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Riona blushes a little and replies, "I loves it!" She proclaims with a joyful voice, and of course, she was Riona! Her hands were at her side her cheeks still flushed with color. She looked up at the glass-stained windows. Her eyes pour over their beautiful details, she crosses to one and looks it over still. "What's this one, mummy?" She asks, "and that one?" She points to the one next to it, she was so small in comparison and everything looked so big. A hand along the now empty pew her eyes scanned the church, she spotted Ravina but Ravina was with her mom. Rio crosses back to her mother and puts her little arms around her.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan smiled indulgently. Perhaps some of Riona's bubbly enthusiasm was contagious. "It seems you've acquired a little fan," she remarked to Eileithya with a chuckle. Her own relationship with the Church was rather conflicted.


"That's Tassaria, the first Star Queen. She was a very brave woman who brought our people together," Eileithya explained, pointing to one of the stained glass windows Riona had indicated. It depicted the queen as the regal mother of her people. "And that's Kyran, God of Nature and Animals. Your mother told me that you love animals. Well, even they have someone looking out for them."


The inclusion of the other deities was actually a point of contention. Officially the Eldorai were polytheistic, and citizens were allowed to believe in other gods and goddesses, but all were seen as subordinate to the chief of the pantheon, Ashira the Supreme Goddess.


However, the ultraorthodox Ashirans didn't like the other deities much and would switch to pure monotheism in a heartbeat if they could. During the exodus, some of them had demanded that the clerics of the 'false deities' be left behind to perish on doomed Kaeshana. Unfortunately for them, the current Queen disapproved of that sort of thing and had rejected this proposal.


"I'm sure Eileithya can show you around some day," Siobhan wrapped her arms around her little daughter. "Perhaps she could be one of your tutors. I mean, if that's fine with you, Eil," she seemed to realise that she'd been talking past the Priestess.


"I'd love to," Eileithya said with a reassuring smile. "My schedule has become rather since the Church launched a mission to minister to the Xioquo, but I should be able to find time for little Riona."

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Riona listened intently as Eileithya elaborated on the story behind the stained glass window, Tarissa - such a pretty name, the young girl thought to herself as she looked to the priestess who had red hair like her mummy and mama. Kyran was the God of the animals, huh? Rio wondered if Kyran would be at the Zoo, after all, they were gonna need him there! The young girl giggled when her mother pulled her into a hug, and then wondered if Elieithya could be her tutor. "Weally?" Excitable Riona's speech lapses again but she looks between her mother and the Priestess for confirmation.

And as she looked her mummy, "will Kyran be at the Zoo?"

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


"Yes, really, dear," Eileithya confirmed, gently correcting Riona's slight lapse. She figured that this would involve a talk with Siobhan and [member="Tegaea Alcori"], but she was quite willing. "Kyran may pop by...but he has a whole world of animals to look after, so he'll probably be a bit occupied!" she joked.


She was a good deal more lighthearted than most Eldorai clerics. "We'll see each other soon, I'm sure. But duty calls now. You two have a good day," she gave little Riona a hug and Siobhan a kiss, then she walked away with her cloak billowing behind her.


"She's a good woman. She should be a good teacher," Siobhan spoke. Her eyes might have trailed after Eileithya's butt for a moment longer than was appropriate. "Ready to move on, sweetie? You can tell your mama all about the cathedral. later"

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Riona missed the part where her mummy's eyes were focused on the priestess's lovely assets! Instead she was excited about the zoo, "yeah!" She jumped up, "I'm weady, I'm weady, I'm weady!" She puts her hand into Siobhan's, "yeah, and I can tell mama about Asheera's divine busums." Wouldn't that be exciting! Little Rio jolted forward pulling her mother forward. She was ready for even more fun now! A bouncy little four-year-old who was ready to try everything. A young girl who was just now experiencing the world around her.

The foot woman and driver were waiting for them outside the Cathedral, Jade tipped her at, "ready your worship? M'lady?"

"Yeah! Les' go! Les' go see all de animals!"

"I wanna do et, I wanna do et." Rio said to the footwoman, who looked to the Countess as she was unsure if she should or shouldn't. "No I cans do et, I cans do et." Her excitement was running right into her speech problems as she was in a hurry to get to all the Zoo! A little bundle of self-determined energy, who wanted to be as independent as she could be.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Riona's exuberance and excitement made Siobhan feel a bit old. She could not remember being this carefree during her childhood, but then her life had been very different: Growing up in poverty in the slums, working in a dirty factory, learning from a young age to use a gun and a knife to defend herself. Then the Sith came and things got worse.


She pushed these memories aside and took her daughter's hand, trying to steady her a bit. "Yes, we shall go see the animals, dear," she spoke softly. "Just calm down a bit. Otherwise you'll get tired and you want to enjoy the zoo, right? Take some pity on your old mother," she joked. Their speeder waited outside and so they boarded, taking off into the sky.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Riona's mother Siobhan had worked hard to get to where she is now, and Riona. Riona's life started in a unique situation. Born to an upper-class woman by the name of Valessia Brentioch, Riona who was named Ryana at birth, was born in a hotel. Yes, the aristocrat's very own private hotel suite, where aside from the birth mother, a registered nurse, a lawyer and the birth mother's friend and midwife, Yvaine Dajaal. She was born in the wee hours of the morning after a long and arduous labor, Valessia held Ryana for a brief moment in time and then watched as the nurse and the lawyer completed paperwork necessary to give Ryana to her new family.

The Hanari family renamed her Riona, a merchant family who had finally decided to settle down. They decided to settle on Tabaqui, and that was home to the young toddler. Home until Kraal arrived and terrorized the village in which she lived. A villager running for the bunker beneath, plucked her from her family's ruined home. Firemane had arrived, and Riona was soon connected with her biological family, but not Valessia. Siobhan Kerrigan, Riona's second mother – something no one at Firemane could scarcely believe. Even if science told them that somehow, Siobhan and Valessia copulated to create Riona.

A sapphic-born child? Was this the will of Ashira? Either that or the Force had a sense of humor, or perhaps there was something far darker at work here. Had Darth Nox found a way to reincarnate herself, like that of Darth Plagueis? Was the Force compensating for a grave error conducted hundreds if not thousands of years ago when the child known as Anakin Skywalker who would grow to become Darth Vader. Was Riona an answer to this?

Who could say?

Who could say, indeed.

What mattered now was that Riona through one of the aforementioned methods had come into being, and now – now she was with her mother Siobhan. Being raised with great care and deep affection, the timing of her being united with Siobhan was impeccable.

And now, now as they traveled to the Zoo in New Santaissa. One could only imagine what possibilties laid ahead for her. Indeed, she would not grow up having to work in a factory, or even learn to use a gun to defend herself. She would not know what it meant to toil, to struggle just to survive. No, her mothers Siobhan Kerrigan and Tegaea Alcori would see that she wouldn't. Why would she? When they through their own blood, sweat and tears have built a formidable corporate empire and have earned their seats as Countesses within the Tygaran Courts.

Whatever purpose Riona is meant to serve was beyond anyone's comprehension at the moment. For at this very moment she was but a girl without a care in the world. A girl who with bright eyes and exuberance looked forward to each waking moment that laid before her.

Her eyes, her beautiful eyes looked to her mother's and there was joy. A child's joy, the innocence of a young life whose young mind has for now, blocked out the trauma suffered at Tabaqui. Who in this very moment, was her mother's angel.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan did not believe in a Goddess or in the will of the Force. There was no cosmic power that steered her life and determined her history. She had come from nothing and risen to the very top through thrift, blood, sweat and tears. There was no illustrious, ancient bloodline in her family history. In other words, she was the very definition of a self-made woman. At least that was one way of looking at it.


To her, the Force was a tool. It was your own inner flame that you kindled when you wielded it. This also meant that you were responsible for your own choices, and could not blame the 'dark side' for your sins if you committed evil.


Riona's existence was something Siobhan could not quite explain, but she loved her daughter regardless of the cause of her birth. One day, little Riona would make her own decisions and find her own path in the world. Her choices would be hers. For the time being, Siobhan simply enjoyed her little girl's innocence and child-like wonder at the marvels of the world.


One day, Riona would have to learn to defend herself, for though Tygara was beautiful, the aristocratic courts were also nests of scheming vipers. She'd have to learn courtly etiquette and realise that smiles can hide daggers...but not for now.


It took some time, but eventually the speeder reached the zoo. Firemane and the Eldorai had made a big effort to prevent the animals of Kaeshana from going extinct by transplanting as many specimen as reasonably possible. Eventually, they could be released into the wilderness. In addition to Kaeshana species, the zoo also displayed native animals such as the fearsome Yazgid. Firefarm, a Firemane subsidiary, maintained a pet shop. Recently, the small company's HQ had been moved to the Ashira's Light station.


The botanical gardens and the zoo were set in a more remote area of the city, set by one of the two rivers which flowed through New Santaissa. Siobhan, being a Countess, naturally got the best parking space for her speeder. As they would see, there was quite a queue in front of the zoo entrance. Doubtless the assistants sitting behind the counter and passing out tickets would be at work for quite a while. Naturally, Siobhan had VIP access and so mother and daughter were let in straight away instead of lining up with the commoners. Class barriers were still very strong in Eldorai society. The zoo itself had a selection of painstakingly created biomes from Kaeshana's lost world.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

It's good to be nobility sometimes, and with her little hands in her mum's Riona was practically skipping into the Zoo."Wow..." Her voice was breathless in that same instance. "So pwetty," she had to stop herself for a moment to take it all in. She was so small, and everything else - well wasn't. Her wonderous eyes took it all in, a small thing who pulled her mother forward into a particular direction. A self-determined little thing who wanted to see it all. Riona was part of the generation who would call Tygara their own, who would only read about Kaeshana and hear stories from the elders. A generation who would experience everything on Tygara for the first time and will eventually come to shape it, but until then they were all young boys and girls who were enjoying their childhood.

"Let's go this way, mummy! Go dis a way!" Riona pointed east.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


In time, memories of Kaeshana would fade. The new generation would consider Tygara their home and only hear about the ancestral homeworld from their parents and grandparents, perhaps also their older siblings. It would be painful for those who'd lived through the Exodus and lost loved ones during it. Even more for the Forsaken, those who had been left behind in the post-apocalyptic wasteland and, with a high degree of justification, believed the exodites had abandoned them. But it was inevitable.


For the time being, Hurricane Riona was pulling Siobhan along. For something so small, Riona had a strong grip and could be quite determined when she wanted to be. This was undoubtedly the result of good Kerrigan genes. At least Siobhan thought so!


As it happened, they would pass by a biome populated by Cylixes. The majestic, four-legged lions were just being fed. Sometimes, two of the big lions argued over who got to eat what and things turned rough. "There, sweetie, those are Cylixes. They're from Tempest's homeworld," Siobhan explained. Further away one could see biomes for Jesters and very big spiders. A placard announced that there'd be a show featuring dolphins.

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Good Kerrigan genes, indeed! Perhaps little Riona believed everyone from Tygara, “Tempest not home hewe?” Speech in turn for excitement as she stood on her tip toes to see these majestic beings.

Hurricane Riona was certainly pulling ahead at full steam, she had never been to a Zoo before. Or even knew that such things existed. But then there was still a lot for the young girl to learn about, “mummy, can we bring mama here, too?” She wondered for a moment what mama Tegs would say or do here. It was a moment, and just like that it was gone. Riona didn't like the spiders, she clung to her mother and averted her gaze. Spiders were yucky things or so she said, and she waited until they saw jesters. “Oh! Wike Grr! Wike Grr!” She was exuberant once more.

She saw the sign about something, all Rio really could make out was it was something about an animal and pointed. “Oh what's this mummy? What's this?” The placard that announced a show with dolphins, she'd never seen a dolphin before. Or if she had, she'd forgotten.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Siobhan smiled indulgently. "Sure we can, sweetie. I don't think she'd say no!" she gave her daughter's hand a fond squeeze when she seemed unnerved by the spiders. "It's ok, dear. They can't hurt you here," she spoke soothingly. These giant spiders came from southern Tygara, where the Qadiri dwelt. They injected their victims with a poisonous venom to keep them docile so that they could ensnare and eat them. In all fairness, Siobhan wasn't keen on spiders either. Not the least because sentient, Force-sensitive spiders called Klaxxi had almost killed her in a fight.


"Dolphins are basically mammals that live underwater, mostly in the tropical waters. They're lovely, social creatures and among the most intelligent animals in the galaxy. We can watch the show. It won't be starting for a while, so we've got time to explore."

 

[Mishel Kryze]

Well, that was good, Rio wanted to spend more time with Mama (@Tegaea Alcori). Also good that the spiders couldn't hurt her, although it made her wonder if there would ever be a world that didn't have spiders. Riona didn't like them on principle, and would most likely carry the dislike and fear of spiders for the rest of her life. Not that anyone can really blame her, she was soothed by her mother's voice. "Oooh," she said after her mother explained what Dolphins were, she was excited to see them but she also wanted to see the rest of the Zoo. For the most part, she adored the animals here, at least, the furry and feathery kind - and on occasion a few of the scaly types. Considering she was the toddler who rode a raptor. She could probably save a Jurassic Park all without having to deal with terrible exposition and plot, moving along. "Let's go this way, mummy!" Rio pointed in a direction that led up and around to a different set of exhibits.

[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

[member="Riona Kerrigan-Alcori"]


Mother and daughter walked on through the zoo, for there were many exhibitions to behold. Animals from Kaeshana, Tygara and even Dahomey were on display in close approximations of their natural habitats. Many Eldorai families were there with their children, along with non-elves, though the latter were obviously less represented. Just a fun day out for mother and daughter.


On the way, they came across an ice cream vendour, who was busy introducing a few Eldorai kids to all sort of ice cream goodness. They still had a couple minutes before the dolphine show began and the arena was right across the corner, so Siobhan came to a halt and pointed to the vendour. "Would you like an ice dream, dear? I'll be my treat for you. No more than two scoopes, max."