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houseofcards_rp2012-05-24 02:59 pm
bitchofhearts.livejournal.com) wrote in houseofcards_rp2012-05-24 02:59 pm
[OTA] A Mother's Love...
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.
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.
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No, Urania had hardly been the start pupil, but that wasn't to say she was anything other than a disappointment as well. Taught so much, and yet what did she have to show for it.
"I see you have given up your...attempts at insanity."
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But then, she sincerely doubted Laureline would ever permit her own children to be mere at anything.
"It grew dull, I'm afraid."
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A mere boy with a lesson to learn.
"Such things as that oft become dull and tiresome. But children never seem to understand that- they find it far too much fun to play games with it."
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"Lessons must be learned by experience, I daresay, just as much as through teaching." She cast a sidelong look at Laureline. "Wouldn't you agree?"
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Echo had been a fine student- but Victor Fox, it seemed, was a man unwilling to die. Laureline had never trained him, and never even had the pleasure of a shared conversation- but she had heard the stories. As ruthless in a challenge as any Spade before him had been. His form left something to be desired, but he had what many in the Spades currently seemed to lack- the foresight to know his opponent entirely and to capitalize on their weaknesses.
And that was all he needed.
"I am surprised that Mr. Fox has not yet met a Spade who is able to best him- of all my students, surely there must be someone able to take on the man. But then- I suppose if your betters have fallen to him- it is of no surprise you have never tried."
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Ethan, for one, was more about the show than the fight much of the time. Echo had become the same way. Too much pride, no caution. And that had been what had prompted her to challenge a man who had cut down two opponents within a few minutes of each challenge already. And that was why she was dead.
She was rather sure that Echo hadn't actually picked up any lessons that day.
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