Hi, Mum. Long time no see! (Coryth)

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Elpsis nodded and patted her mother on the shoulder. "I know." Two simple words, but her tone conveyed they weren't just platitudes. "Well, Goldielocks better treat you well and worship the ground you walk on, or I'll set her hair on fire." Aww, wasn't she sweet? Nothing better than having a protective, moderately pyromaniacal daughter.


By now the boat had left New Santaissa far behind it and had ventured far onto the sea. Out here it was peaceful. The cerulean sky met the serene surface of the azure sea. Up here in the north it was colder than in the south inhabited by the Qadiri, which was a welcome respite from the scorching heat.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth managed a small smile. "You know, you aren't supposed to be this wise for being your age. It hardly seems fair. You've a better head on your shoulders than I could have dreamed of at your age." She did chuckle a little at the girl's next words. "How about we keep her hair in one piece, I rather like it that way." Well, she more than liked it but that was beside the point. She preferred her lover, non-burnt to a crisp.

Now she got to her feet and pulled the sail down. Her purpose to keep them from going further out to sea than planned. They'd at least gotten some good distance from the city and should in theory have some peace and quiet on their own. "I figure we didn't want to go too far out today." She said gently.

[member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Elpsis looked rather surprised by her mother's statement. No one had ever called her intelligent or anything remotely like that. She was uncertain how to react. Her cheeks flushed slightly, acquiring a pink hue. "Don't know about that but, uh, thanks."


Coryth got to her feet and and pulled the sail down. Since she was trying to be a good daughter, Elpsis quickly got up as well and helped her - far smaller - mother with the sail. The wind kissed her skin and blew around her firemane. There was a rather silly grin on her face. "Thanks, mum. I'm very glad we met. You're...very different from what I expected. In a good way." Seemingly overcome by emotion, she bent down and pulled her mother into a hug.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth smiled a little brighter, "I do know about that, Elpsis my dear. I do know. You may not always have ended up in the best circumstances, but you've done well with them. I can't say I'd have done any better. Life isn't about getting what you want, it's about surviving the things you never wanted. It's about how you handle those, and if you can get up again when life knocks you down. From what I see, you've done that. Better than most would have. So, I know you have a good head on your shoulders."

Cory glanced happily over to her daughter, "You're welcome dear. I'm only glad you gave me a chance. You didn't have to, but I'm so glad you have. And well, I'm not what most people expect. I'm just glad I'm not what you had expected." She embraced Elpsis tightly, a little surprised at the hug, but never pulled away or flinched, not for a second. She reached up and gently stroked the girl's hair. "Thank you, for giving me a chance." Coryth was on the verge of tears, happy tears but was quick to wipe any trace of them away. This wasn't at all what she'd expected either. She'd expected the worst and then some. To be rejected and left on her own again. And found herself overwhelmed and joyous that, that wasn't the case at all.

[member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Thank you," Elpsis said quietly. For a long moment she said nothing, simply holding her mother. This was a bit awkward because there was quite a height difference between the two, but she didn't mind. The redhead was on the verge of happy tears, but quickly wiped them away. It would do her street cred no good!


Finally she pulled away and a deep breath. "Would you...let me carry your name?" she asked shyly. "Elpsis Elaris." Was she going rather fast? Perhaps, but she was impulsive and quite emotional. The Kallikora name meant nothing to her.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

"You're welcome." She repeated, still stroking Elpsis' hair lovingly. It warmed her little heart so much to have Elpsis against her, accepting her. It certainly, absolutely had not been what Coryth had expected. No, she'd expected rejection and then some. Though, Cory did always tend to imagine the worst, without ever actually seeing the event through, and allow it to terrify her out of ever moving forward. On her own, she was getting herself stuck with those views, but this, this was truly helping her realize not everything ended up in the worst scenario. Some things actually worked out, if she would just allow them to play out.

Coryth seemed a bit surprised at first to hear Elpsis' request. Stunned even, but not in a bad way. That was one more thing she didn't expect today, maybe a ways down the road, but not today. "Of course, I don't mind in the least." She finally managed to find her voice again and speak, "I'd be most honored if you did. There's no one else in the galaxy with our name. At least, that I know of. So, it's good to know someone will carry it on for me." She reached out, and gave Elpsis' arm a gentle squeeze, seeming so happy for a change. "If there's anything you need, ever, I'm only a com call away. Day or night, it doesn't matter." She added, wanting her daughter to know she'd be there. "I know I wasn't there for you in the past, and I can't change that. However, I can be here now for you, for whatever you may need."

[member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Things had indeed taken a very unexpected turn. This was probably the last thing both mother and daughter had expected. Indeed, it was probably the best result that could be asked for. All her life Elpsis had been looking for a place to belong.


Where did you feel safest and most comfortable? With your family. "Thank you...mother." She would still need to get used to saying that word, but she looked forward to it. "This means a lot to me. After all these years alone and on the run...it feels like I'm at home. Guess that means we're family now, huh?"


She smiled a bit sheepishly. "So, are you on call for dating advice? No worries, you don't have to give me the birds and bees talk." Fortunately Coryth was saved from a potentially embarrassing situation because her comm started ringing. Who was calling, the dear reader might wonder? Well, you'll see! Here's a hint: The char has been mentioned in this thread before.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth was smiling, oh so happy. "Of course, Elpsis." The tiny redhead nodded, "I suppose that does mean we are family now. Something I've never really had. At least not a family of blood. And I'm glad to have you." Elpsis might not have been in her plan, and when Coryth became pregnant certainly wasn't something she wanted. But now that seemed like something a million miles away, an insignificant detail in her life. Because Coryth did want her girl, her daughter. And no one in the galaxy was going to take that from her. And my sympathies to any soul that dares try. There won't be much of a body left to find by the time Coryth is done with same person.

"Call me for dating advice? Nope. You don't want that." Coryth said with a grin. "For the woman that's had all of two serious dating relationships in her life, I'm pretty sure you know more than me. So, maybe I should be calling you for advice." Who said Cory couldn't try to embarrass her daughter once in a while too?!

And of course right at that moment before Coryth could say anything more, her com buzzed to life. She glanced to it, seeing the caller and beamed brightly. "Hello, my darling." Cory said cheerfully.

[member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Still more than me! I haven't dated at all. Although there's someone I...kinda like," Elpsis looked a bit embarrassed. Apparently her mother was learning. However, before their talk could get any more awkward, someone had called and Coryth picked up the holophone. Comm device. Eh, whatever. Same thing really.


The caller on the other end of the line spoke Basic with a slight accent. Eldarai sounded a bit like Russian. "Hey, sweetie. I'm home early. Thought I'd surprise you. Is your...talk with Elpsis going well?" Coryth sounded very cheerful, so maybe it had. Kaida had bought her tissues in case she needed them.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Oh, yes Coryth was learning. She had the Mistress and Queen of Trolling as her role model. This led to some interesting conversations with intents to embarrass and tease those around her. "Oh... like someone, eh?" Coryth was so going to inquire about that later on, for ... reasons. Trolling reasons.

Coryth's aura and everything about her seemed to brighten hearing that lovely voice on the other end of the line. "I'm glad to hear it, darlin'. You are such a sweetie. Yeah, everything with Elpsis is going extremely well. I can't wait to tell you all about it. Did you want to come over? I can bring the ship in and you can come join us sailing for a bit, if you'd like."

[member="Elpsis Kallikora"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Fortunately Elpsis was saved from being grilled about her high school crush because a certain space elf had called. It was very unlikely that Kaida would like being called Goldielocks!


Coryth's aura brightened and lit up like a...Life Day Tree. "Sure, I can come over. Sounds good! Dock at the 'port and I'll be right there. I, uh, missed you." Kaida's slightly accented voice sounded almost giddy with excitement. Yes, you heard that right: The Ice Queen sounded giddy.


Elpsis was happy that all attention had been deflected from her. "Is that Goldielocks?" she smirked.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth was so pleased to hear Kaida's words. "I can't wait. I'll be there soon. And ... I missed you too." The redhead was already standing once more and heading back to set the sail again to send them back to shore. She'd caught the excitement in her Kaida's voice. Sure it was subtle, but Coryth knew well enough the slight changes and what they meant.

Coryth lifted a brow and looked to Elpsis. "It is. But it'd do you well not to call her that personally." The tiny Jedi replied. "She may not see the humor in it and isn't the type to tolerate much teasing." Cory mostly didn't want Elpsis to upset Kaida. "She's a good woman, wonderful woman." She said softly as she let the sail back out and quickly had them turned around and heading back to shore.

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


"Why? Is she that uptight that she can't take a joke?" Elpsis could not resist being cheeky. "'sides, she does have goldielocks, so I'm just stating a fact. Gotta lighten up a bit."


Yes, Elpsis, that's totally your sole intention. "So, how'd you meet? And is what they say about Angelii in bed true?" Stop embarrassing your mother or she'll troll you about your Dahomian high school crush. Meanwhile, the ship was heading back towards the shore. It would arrive there soon. As soon as the plot demanded.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

"It's not that simple, and it's about being polite to someone who I know isn't fond of that sort of thing. It's not a matter of lightening up." Coryth said quietly but firmly. "Just, please don't go there while she is here."

Coryth shrugged slightly, "It was during the Netherworld affair. I was an Exarch for Omega Pyre briefly. Anyway, communications weren't going through to many of the planets in my territory, so I took a ship to Sullust to check out the situation. Unfortunately the planet was under attack. Short of it, I crashed broke several bones and got very close to dying. Kaida saved me, got me out of that mess. After that they sent me back home for treatment. I got to know Kaida a little better when I woke up from surgery. She actually kind of chewed my butt out for being so reckless. Finally talked some sense into me, and my previously foolish ways. The both of us soon left for a bar, spent some time together. The rest is history really."

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Elpsis winced slightly at the tone. The girl was a bit of a brat and had become accustomed to getting what she wanted. Moreover, she was thoroughly lacking in social decorum. "Yes, Mum," she said a bit sulkily. "Fine. I'll try to be on my best behaviour." Easier said than done. She didn't think she'd like the uptight elf woman. However, she brushed that thought aside when Coryth gave her some background.


"Oh, ok. Didn't know that. Well...I'm glad she was there and kept you from freaking dying." The idea of her mother being in harm's way clearly upset the girl. It probably said a lot that she didn't enquire whether the two had gotten drunk in the bar.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth sighed slightly, not liking to have to be that way with her daughter. They'd just barely gotten started to get to know one another. The last thing she wanted was to do something to upset the balance they had created in the process. "Thank you,dear. I appreciate it."

Coryth nodded, "Yeah, it was a bit of a mess. I'm glad she was there as well, and helped to get me out of there." Reaching out she patted her girl gently on the back. "I survived thanks to her, and am here now. That's what matters." The port was coming into sight and it wouldn't be too much longer before they reached shore.

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


It occured to Elpsis that she had yet to tell Coryth about Laina. Or Tempest, for that matter. Hopefully Coryth would approve! Little could the young redhead know that her mother and the amazon prophetess probably wouldn't get on. Regardless, it did not take long for the boat to reach New Santaissa's port. As the boat traversed the waters, Elpsis spotted a tall, statuesque blonde elf standing on the wooden dock.


Truth be told, tall was an understatement, since the woman was built like an amazon and towered over her mother. "That's her? She's, like, huge." She had the amusing image of Coryth's face nesting in the blonde's cleavage any time she hugged her.


The blonde had the pointed ears typical for an elf and was dressed simply in a t-shirt and black pants. Her feet were tucked into army boots. Even in casual attire she looked a bit awkward to Elpsis, like she was far more used to standing at attention given her rigid posture.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

Coryth definitely would not get along with Laina. Eventually Coryth and Laina both would discover this, along with Elpsis. They were just two ideologically different people, along with personalities that would definitely clash.

Coryth's smile widened, and her aura grew warmer, happier to set eyes upon the lovely Eldorai blonde. "Yep, that's her." She said cheerfully. "Just taller, and well mmm those muscles." The tiny woman certainly loved those muscles. So beautiful, sexy and strong and Cory loved every inch of her.

Finally coming into the docks, Coryth was quick to grab a rope on the deck of her ship and tie the boat up as they came to a stop. Without waiting Coryth leaped the gap between the boat and the docks to greet Kaida. "Hello darling." She was quick to wrap her arms around the taller woman, so pleased to see her.

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]

 

[Elpsis Kerrigan]

[member="Coryth Elaris"]


Perhaps one of young Elpsis' lessons would be that not all the motherly figures in her life would get along and that trying to please them all would be impossible. Her life had been very harsh, but she was still a teenager in many ways. For the time being, she just had to meet her mother's girlfriend. The woman looked so rigid that Elpsis wondered whether she might be a statue. She certainly looked like one to her.


However, the frost elf's stoic features suddenly brightened when Coryth leapt over the gap between the boat and the dock. Yes, she actually smiled. Coryth wrapped her arms around her, and the soldier bent down to return the embrace, giving her a kiss. The height difference made it look awkward and cute at the same time. Perhaps this summed up their relationship.


"Hey there, sweetie. Missed me?" Her blue eyes moved over to Elpsis. "You must be Elpsis. It's nice to see you." The blonde smiled at the girl, though in the teenager's opinion she looked and sounded a bit stiff.


"Uh, yeah, nice to see you, too. Ms Taldir, Kaida, ma'am. Err, should I call you Step Mum?" This entire family was made of awkward.

 

[Coryth Elaris]

For a moment Coryth sank into Kaida's embrace, letting her kiss linger on her lips before she pulled away. "Of course I did!" Coryth said eagerly. "I always miss you when you're gone away for a long time. I'm just glad I'm getting you home, safe and sound and in one piece."

Coryth turned to look at her daughter, "Yes, it is. Elpsis, Kaida. Kaida, Elpsis." She quickly introduced the two to one another. The cringed slightly in response to Elpsis' words. "I don't think that's necessary yet, dear. We aren't married after all. Just girlfriends." She didn't think Kaida would approve of the idea either, calling her step mum just yet.

[member="Elpsis Elaris"]