[OTA] A Mother's Love...

[bitchofhearts.livejournal.com]

There was nothing that said she had less than perfect love for her children. She, at least, had something that came close to the appearance of love for them. She devoted her time to their education, she devoted her skill to their training- indeed, she had given up husband and suit for their protection. Or, rather, for Hadyn's.

And yet he repaid her love and devotion with abject folly and indiscriminately poor choice. Was this the son she had raised? Had she not given him milk from her own breast, nursed him through illness, kissed his head when he laid down and slept? All she had ever asked from him in return was the pure, unquestioning obedience of a son. She asked of him perfection, and dutiful study. In her hands Hadyn's future could reach for the stars- but only so far if he chose not to listen.

First the medical studies- a swift departure from the theatre. And perhaps she could have been persuaded to it except for the eventual truth- he would be forced to study Outside. And what would the Outside teach him? With all their sins and disregard. They did not have respect for their parents, they did not have respect for anyone. So then how could she trust these beast, foul and loathsome, to teach her son? And once more- what if they taught him other things? Other...ideas.

She would hate for her hand to be forced. But then- death was not always the worst fate for man or animal. There always came a time when putting them down was more kind and useful than letting wallow in their pitiful lives.

Still- if the boy could only think to amuse himself with quick, useless displays of force, then perhaps she had failed in her teachings. Such trivial, vile behavior was left to the dogs on a hunt. He was to be Ace, not some mindless drone who reacted with no small pleasure to the breaking of bones. The girl had hardly been worthy of his skill, and simply ignoring her would have likely been as effective- and much less likely to display his vast collection of martial skill.

So perhaps it was little surprise to those who knew Laureline for who she really was, that she was sat on a bench, quietly reading her book while Hadyn was standing some feet off in a most uncomfortable of positions. Should he fall- he would get up, and start his exercise over. Should he make it through the exercise? He would begin a new one much more challenging than the last. And he would continue to do them without break until she was satisfied that he would not make the same mistake twice.

Comments

Because, quite obviously, this needs to happen.

[is-to-art.livejournal.com]

He'd heard all about the Sinclair incident, of course - it would be difficult to not have heard some variation on the tale by now - and was actually here to visit one of the involved parties, to sate his curiosity among other things.

However, he will pause, inclining his head as he watches Hadyn moving through positions. "Ah, to be young and foolhardy again."

<33 Of course it does, bb

[bitchofhearts.livejournal.com]

"Mr. Rhodes," she said softly, looking up from her book with a fond smile that was oft reserved for only her children. But then again, she had always looked fondly on Nicolas Rhodes in a way. No, he was not Julien nor her children, but he was something else that was altogether joyful to watch.

Or at least- as close to joyful to watch as anything was for Laureline.

"I dare say that being young and foolhardy are not two particular ideals I would strive for." She paused for a moment, before tipping her head to the side. "Would you join me?"

[is-to-art.livejournal.com]

He dips his head respectfully before joining her on the bench. "He has great potential, your son." It's already immediately apparent, though he can't say he's all that surprised. She had always had such exacting standards.

[bitchofhearts.livejournal.com]

"A toad has potential, as well- but potential alone does not make one great." And how far had he fallen in that regard? Her most prized Son turned willful and weak because of a simpleminded fool? It was laughable.

"Such things a mother is left to clean up," she went on, this time in regards to Amy. "He thought it funny, to have so easily broken her arm."

[is-to-art.livejournal.com]

"Violence, particularly in these situations, is an inelegant solution." He could almost see the appeal, though - almost.

"Unfortunately there are some that seem to understand little else and Ms. Sinclair appears to be one of those people." Regrettable, but then her demotion had at least minimized any further damage she could do.

[bitchofhearts.livejournal.com]

"Ms. Sinclair..." She almost snorted at the thought of the girl. Resorting to violence to solve an issue was a sheer sign of a weakness. Not that violence did not have a place- no. Laureline was a fighter, and she knew well when violence was necessary- but it was all about timing, she thought. And it was something Ms. Sinclair nor Hadyn seemed to grasp.

"I will not waste the breath it takes to speak of her," she said after a moment. "My task is to teach my son- though he seems loathsome to listen."