Chapter Text
Karina forced Sayori to apologise to Wuseen int he morning.
Then she locked her in her bedroom while she took Regit and Drosia to Temple.
She put a charm on the window and then locked her daughter's door. Elahbah promised to remain in the house.
Regit waved to her from outside before his mother dragged him away.
Sayori waved back and then sunk into her bed.
But then she heard the lock form her door and it opened revealing Elahbah.
He winked; "What Mama doesn't know won't hurt her."
Sayori felt some fear; "She said I had to stay here."
"Elahbah knows. But locking the door is a but harsh. You didn't steal anything. Mama did this to Elahbah when he stole from a ladies fruit hat and it was deserved."
"........"
He let himself in; "Elahbah knows you've been working on your anxieties. But it's like you don't know what sort of Khajiit you are. How would you explain to a stranger who you are?"
"......what would you say?"
"Lazy, useless, loves his family and sleep. You love books yes?"
"I like learning about things."
"So you're not lazy."
"I want to adventure."
"Uh huh."
"...... I don't know what else."
"You love Mama yes?"
"Yes."
"And Regit."
"Yes."
"So you want to explore and learn what you can and you love your family. What else?"
"........ don't know."
"Elahbah thinks you're smart."
"I'm not."
"Smart folk are allowed to make mistakes. Especially when they're your age. You know how dumb the rest of us were at five compared to you and Regit?"
"I didn't know you when you were five."
Elahbah chuckled; "Well we were dumb. Elahbah did more than throw himself from a window. This one threw himself into the fireplace. Mama just about saved me. Jahadra swallowed a small pot of fire salts when she was ten, Fash'rin didn't put eggs when she tried to make cake for the first time and Husbar once got his head caught in a gate. And you know what Regit is like."
"Yeah."
"So don't feel bad about making silly mistakes. You're still a lot smarter than your stupid siblings. Yes?"
".....your not stupid."
"Neither are you. So don't go thinking that yes?"
"........then why does Mama worry about me?"
Elahbah couldn't hug her so he snuggled with his large face.
"Because you nearly died when you were born. She - we all are - scared that you'll get hurt. Then when Pa came in and scared you. Do you remember that?"
She didn't.
"That's when you started your headache's. She loves you Sayori but..... yes?"
Sayori leaned into his nose with her hand on his untidy mane; "I don't know what to do to stop her worrying."
"She never stops worrying about all of us. Elahbah knows she's worried about Jahadra and Husbar getting hurt in the Guild. Elahbah knows she worries that Fash'rin may get unwanted at tension in the taverns. He knows she worries Elahbah doesn't do much. If she didn't worry Sayori, it would mean she didn't care. Elahbah worried about you - that's why this one is here."
"..........thank you."
Elahbah gently pulled away; "Elahbah can't cook us lunch but a friends of his is bringing bread with jam and bread with cheese. You choose which one you want yes?"
Sayori nodded. But she wouldn't leave her room so Elahbah sat in her room and ate with her so she wouldn't be lonely.
He would have been a good father to his children. It is a shame he had little faith in himself to commit to any other relationship outside his own family.
"Mother told you to keep the door locked."
Karina spoke to her oldest son when she returned to Temple.
"...oh." He was confused; "Well, Elahbah felt-"
"Mother knows how you feel but she needs to learn that her actions -"
"Do you not know who she is? Sayori already knows what she did. She knows what you think of it."
"The Law wouldn't be so kind to her."
"You're not the Law. Your just her mother. She's worried enough that she causes you stress."
"She didn't worry so much last night"
"Come on Ma, you even said she did it right when you fell asleep so you wouldn't sorry. It's her bad luck you woke up."
"Elah-"
"Elahbah is just saying that's she's beaten herself up about it enough. Spare her for now yes?"
"If it were you-"
"Elahbah is old enough to know better. Yes she's smart but she's five. Five year olds don't think things through, even the smart ones."
"......."
"Please. Just this once."
Karina gave him a weak smile; "Very well...... you're a good big brother."
"Elahbah has time in his paws to try and be."
"And mother appreciates it. Especially with your siblings getting busier and busier. Mother swears she never sees Husbar anymore."
"You'll always have me and the little ones will be sticking around with you for a long time."
Karina suddenly remembered her mother-in-law's words.
"Mama?"
"Nothing. Keep Drosia company, Mother will talk to your sister."
Sayori stood to attention when her mother came in.
"Mother and Elahbah had a chat downstairs." Karina decided to be honest; "He told me you were very sorry and I believe him. You already know how disappointed I felt, you don't need to feel it. I'm keeping the charm on that window until I can trust you not to do that again. Alright?"
"......."
"Now what's the matter?"
"Nothing."
"Do not lie to me."
".......you love Elahbah yes?"
"Of course I do."
"He said to me he would describe himself as lazy and useless. Does he take care of himself?"
"Knowing him, he meant it as a little joke so you would open up."
"Does he feel useless because he has no hands?"
".......... he's fine" Karina couldn't help but once more marvel at her young daughter's empathy; "He does what he can with what he's been given. He likes to read too. Maybe he can take you to the bookstore."
"I'd like that."
Karina was pleased to see some cheeriness; "Good. Now, I want you to behave yourself for me so I won't need to worry. Try your best."
She had never thought a few months ago she would be asking Sayori that.
But she was glad she did. She was a Khajiit after all.
