text | un: sds

[fogsong]

My mother, Rose Da Silva, has returned to the ocean. I know she was close to a lot of people here and I thought it was important to let everyone know.

[ She hadn’t wanted to tell anyone, truth be told, but she knew she couldn’t selfishly hold onto the information when Rose knew and cared about so many people in this place and vice versa. But even this small amount of public acknowledgment cuts her to the bone. ]

Comments

[fogsong]

I know she would be. [ everything Sharon has learned of the other woman makes it feel like there couldn’t be any doubt about it. ]

I think she’d be proud to see you step out of your mother’s shadow and explore your own desires; to see you trying to be more than what your mother expected from you. [ it felt easier to keep the conversation away from her own grief and Rose. she sips on her drink. the burn of the alcohol isn’t as noticeable as it once had been and she’s quick to finish it down and pour more —— a little too quickly. ]

[unphase]

[Tinya blushes faintly, but looks a little pleased]

That's--that's all I'd want. For her to be proud. So much of me is based on her, on my memories of her. Even while mother held my leash. [her grandmother had taken Tinya to her first ballet classes, had been so proud as she watched Tinya progress so rapidly, she'd shown Tinya off to her various lovers and friends at her wild soirees, praising both her beauty and brains in the same breath, telling everyone who'd listen that Tinya was destined for greatness.

it was nice. better than nice, while she'd lived with her grandmother, Tinya had felt that she could breathe. especially after the cold scrutiny in her mother's eyes and perfunctory kisses on the forehead]

[fogsong]

She’d see that in you. The people we love the most always seem to see what we need them to. [ Rose saw all the important things inside of her; she saw things she could love, things she cherished; parts of her that made her proud. Her heart clenches in her chest and she feels like she’s drowning again. She downs her second glass and reaches a shaking, pale hand to touch at one of Tinya’s. ]

You’ll see her one day just like I’ll see my mom again. And my dad. We have to believe that, don’t we? Because it makes it easier.

[unphase]

Then...she would. She'd be proud of me. [she's so caught up in memories of her grandmother, the ballet lessons she'd escorted Tinya and practiced with her, despite being in her grandmother's laughing words decades out of practice, the Terran musicals she loved, especially "Evita" and "Hillary" 'now you see, dear, you can either be loved or be respected in Terran culture. break the mold, be both, I have every faith in you.'

but the less she thinks of her grandmother's end, the better.

and the touch of Sharon's hand is a surprise but a welcome one. she turns her hand so that Sharon can hold her hand if she wishes]