[private] Nothing less than strong

[Rezza]

appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.

Some part of her wonders if she ought to have resigned from her post and raised her child like a good mother. Would it have been better that way? Or was there some sort of blessing in the privileges that Poseida enjoys given her mother’s place within the kingdom ranks? There is Mesarez, and he would be out of her life in a blink should Rezza leave her post. Sometimes Rezza wonders what lives between them - is it just childhood friendship, since they have grown up together? Is there more?

She could find out, of course, given the right situation, though Rezza does not and will not use her mind reading for such a thing. If she were truly good, she’d be able to say she’s never used it on Mesarez or Poseida, but in truth she uses it often (mostly on Mesarez, though occasionally on her daughter as well). Neither of them actually know this, of course, because she never lets them know. But it helps her ensure they are safe and okay - or as safe and okay as anyone can be when your entire life is lived inside a war.

Sacrifice is something they know all too well in Baltia.

Poseida does not disappoint her today. Even if it is by accident that they find one another, still they manage, and Rezza’s smile is warm and genuine at the sound of her daughter’s voice. ”Poseida,” she replies, swimming to close the gap between them and reaching out to wrap her daughter in a warm (figuratively, nothing is warm underwater really) embrace. ”How are you?” It is in these moments that she feels most like herself. There are no masks (or almost none, anyway) with her daughter, no diplomacy, no games. It is moments like these that make Rezza wonder if any of her life has been worth the sacrifice they have both made. But of all the powers in the world, time travel is not one of them. She cannot undo the choices she made. No, all she can do is try to mend the holes as best as possible.

REZZA

Photo by Alice Alinari

@poseida