Love Never Ends, It Only Changes

Frustration builds in the young girl as she tries to make her father understand how much she cares for Isa while worry gnaws a hole in gut. Part of wonders if is actually making things worse for the woman by trying to talk with her father. Heat licks her words, as fear is expressed outwardly as anger and she attempts to sound older and wiser than she is. Yet, when she says her piece and falls silently, her pale blue eyes moving to catch her father’s gaze, she finds… sadness. Every ounce of fight and stubbornness that had bolstered her up leaves and, like a sail losing it breeze, the pup deflates. How has she missed how old father is? How the loss of their mother has driven him to such an unhealthy place?

Every year seems written in the lines of his face as she listens to his painfilled words. Andy looks up at him, nodding slowly to his words before the girl softly says, “I understand dad. I… I am sorry I got angry. I am just worried. But, I promise you, I am being careful and will continue to use caution.” Finally, a soft, sad sigh rolls past her purple lips and she suddenly moves forward, pressing the side offer head into his chest so that she can hear his heart beat. How many years will she have left with him? How many moments of laughter and joy will they get? Time marches ever onward and the fear of losing her father suddenly seizes hold of her mind.

Eyes seize shut as she breathes through the fear, wrestling it away while listening to the strong steady thrums beneath her ear. Mind turns back their conversation and she latches onto a part of his statement that the young girl needs to clear up. Softly, she says, “I miss mom. While it is true my heart longs for a motherly figure, I need you to know that no one, absolutely no one, can ever take mom’s place.” It is true that Zee’s physical form is no longer around but there are still pieces of her everywhere. From her own spiraling kudu horns, to the final gifts that Zee had made sure her children got, there will always be parts of her around.

While Andy is developing a friendship with Isa, she does not seek her as a replacement for her own deceased mother and she needs her father to understand that. Pressing her ear a little harder into his chest, she says, “Isa isn’t mom and I know that. But, she is becoming a friend and I just want to try and help her find her place in the Armada. Which, I don’t think being a slave is her long-term goal.” Offering a gentle chuckle, she then turns to give him a huge hug before leaning back so she can blink open her pale eyes to catch his gaze. A bright, beautiful smile slowly blooms across her lavender lips as she looks up at him, knowing that her emotions can get the better of her at times.


"Andromeda Fatalis"