[There's quite a few things she could say to those words. Things she'd like to say but now wasn't the time. Instead, she nods again with a small cough.]
Ah, yes. Yes. We probably should move--
[Are you alright, Mother?
The voice cut through her thoughts like a bell. The girl couldn't have been much younger than Luna. Worry lined her scarred face as she spoke with a tenderness that she couldn't remember ever hearing before. The pain and blood didn't seem to matter when that child was there. Even if the word choice was odd. It wasn't just 'mother'. She was saying 'Master' as well.
Please wait. We'll help you now. It's okay. It's going to be all right. We're sorry, Mother. Please hold on for a bit longer.
Ai's grip on the shopping list and cart tightened quickly. The sharp pain was gone. The stench of blood--her own blood--was gone. It wasn't a bad memory but she could suddenly see why Kei had reacted in the way he did.]
M-move to the checkout.
[It was a small stumble of her words. It's all she'd let herself show. It wasn't the right time.]
...Sorry Kei. You're apparently very triggering. At least in a good way.
Ah, yes. Yes. We probably should move--
[Are you alright, Mother?
The voice cut through her thoughts like a bell. The girl couldn't have been much younger than Luna. Worry lined her scarred face as she spoke with a tenderness that she couldn't remember ever hearing before. The pain and blood didn't seem to matter when that child was there. Even if the word choice was odd. It wasn't just 'mother'. She was saying 'Master' as well.
Please wait. We'll help you now. It's okay. It's going to be all right. We're sorry, Mother. Please hold on for a bit longer.
Ai's grip on the shopping list and cart tightened quickly. The sharp pain was gone. The stench of blood--her own blood--was gone. It wasn't a bad memory but she could suddenly see why Kei had reacted in the way he did.]
M-move to the checkout.
[It was a small stumble of her words. It's all she'd let herself show. It wasn't the right time.]