Riath listened silently for a time. If Charlie had been paying attention, she might have noticed the woman tense at the mention of her mother. Even so, Riath waited for her to finish, letting her release the pent up frustration. It wasn't the first time she'd done this, and she knew that Charlie would give her a chance to respond soon enough.
When Charlie did settle down, Riath reached forward with a small cloth to help clean her eyes. It was another thing Riath had learned to do, couple comforting gestures with what was typical for her job to dodge any complaints about decorum. "Your father isn't good at expressing emotions. He hasn't been the entire time I've known him. I know many fathers favor being somewhat distant, but Lord Vioroll honestly doesn't know how to be anything else. Expressing feelings is dangerous in your aunt's court, as you well know." There was just the slightest hint of scolding in her tone, but it was gone as soon as it came.
"Your father... should not have had to raise you alone. No matter how well he means, he simply doesn't have the ability to do the jobs of two parents. He hardly can do one. That's why he hired me on, after all." Riath smiled, though it was tainted by some sadness she couldn't say.
Riath paused again, her expression falling, before settling into an unreadable mask. "He... mentioned your mother? What did he say about her?"
~~
Vioroll sat down quietly, trying to put his words in order. "Vaerath has appointed my daughter as heir to War, and my sister has given me the task of preparing her for the role. Starting with training in the family magic. It... has been going poorly. Until today, she couldn't manage anything. She showed some progress, and managed to completely restrict me in the middle of a rant that turned into a breakdown, but everything just kept getting worse after that."
He paused, trying to figure out what to ask. "I don't know how to reach out to her. I... haven't been the greatest parent, and I'm worried I'm going to lose her forever."
When Charlie did settle down, Riath reached forward with a small cloth to help clean her eyes. It was another thing Riath had learned to do, couple comforting gestures with what was typical for her job to dodge any complaints about decorum. "Your father isn't good at expressing emotions. He hasn't been the entire time I've known him. I know many fathers favor being somewhat distant, but Lord Vioroll honestly doesn't know how to be anything else. Expressing feelings is dangerous in your aunt's court, as you well know." There was just the slightest hint of scolding in her tone, but it was gone as soon as it came.
"Your father... should not have had to raise you alone. No matter how well he means, he simply doesn't have the ability to do the jobs of two parents. He hardly can do one. That's why he hired me on, after all." Riath smiled, though it was tainted by some sadness she couldn't say.
Riath paused again, her expression falling, before settling into an unreadable mask. "He... mentioned your mother? What did he say about her?"
~~
Vioroll sat down quietly, trying to put his words in order. "Vaerath has appointed my daughter as heir to War, and my sister has given me the task of preparing her for the role. Starting with training in the family magic. It... has been going poorly. Until today, she couldn't manage anything. She showed some progress, and managed to completely restrict me in the middle of a rant that turned into a breakdown, but everything just kept getting worse after that."
He paused, trying to figure out what to ask. "I don't know how to reach out to her. I... haven't been the greatest parent, and I'm worried I'm going to lose her forever."
