No beast is more savage than man when possessed with power answerable to his rage.
-Plutarch
"I'll take good care of Ale, I promise, Sera. We'll go and stay with Ry, 'til all of this is over. Don't you worry, okay? We're gonna be safe, okay?"
Her sister's words played over and over within her head as she lay on the couch in the estate, the fire nearby crackling gently.
It had been a day. A day that had started off not terribly well, quickly turned a tad less so. With a successful interview and a new recruit in the ranks, she enjoyed a cup of kaffee and had settled in to listen to the hustle and bustle of the Teahaus and the city outside.
Then the day turned even better, with the finishing of the new uniforms and donning of said new uniform, she had gone off to show it off. To say the reactions had been agreeable, had been an understatement. Amelina and Marie had both given their seal of approval.
And then, of course, came the conversation about appearances and injuries and her own explanation of Imprinting… Only for it to be interrupted.
Rage had overcame her as the front door had swung open and the sounds of shouting came from below. Blood, groaning, pale faces and orders being shouted. Then she found herself hauling arse across the city with an unconscious man in her arms.
And then the appearance of her sister filled her further with rage. Minimum property damage done, mostly to a railing, followed by copious amount of yelling soon found her sitting outside. Rage still boiling beneath the surface of her skin as she gazed into the eyes of one of her employers as she assured her that she would not be allowed back into the Teahaus. She had her doubts but did not speak them.
Rage and for a few hours, happiness were the only emotions she felt this day. She had merely seen red and she had nearly lost it. Completely and utterly lost it.
And part of her had enjoyed it.
A very small piece of her had enjoyed it, the rage forming within her chest and flaring forth. The rage gave her reason to fight once more and not to roll over, offering up her belly to her foe. She would not do that any longer. She would also not allow the rage to take over. Not again. Never again.
"Calm water over smooth stones…" She murmured her mantra to herself as she gazed up at the ceiling, watching the shadows the fire casted. They twisted and turned, dancing the dance only shadows knew.
Sera groaned and placed her hands over her face, the blanket pooling around her waist. She sat up slowly, rubbing absently at her face, staring towards her swordbelt and armor that lay leaning against the couch.
Her hands moved to wrap around her biceps, fingers gently tracing over the bandages, before looking up at the sound of footfalls.
"I… Thought you went home," Amelina spoke softly, stopping beside the table as she looked towards the seated woman.
"I won't worry as much if I know you're all safe… And if any of you need me, I'm merely a few floors below…" She replied and gently shrugged, going to wince as she touched her bandaged arm.
The two were silent for a few moments, the only sounds coming from the crackling fire. Sera studying her bandages and Amelina watching her in turn.
"Are you comfortable? On the couch, that is."
"Not the first time I've slept on a couch, won't be the last. However, this one is fairly more comfortable than the one in my study. Thank you though… You... You should go up to bed. You've had a long day." Sera murmured, moving into a more seated position, placing her feet on the floor, blanket now pooling around her waist.
"You need to rest as well. Your wounds." Amelina stepped closer and set a hand on her shoulder, before retracting her hand. However, Sera snagged it and gave it a faint squeeze before releasing it, and laying on back down.
"Fine. As you command, my Lady Peirgarten."
"I do command it. I need my Captain in tip-top shape." She joked, smiling tiredly over at the now laying Avanthar. The woman moved towards the stairs.
"Hey 'Melina?"
"Yes, Sera?"
"Sleep well."
Sera smiled towards her retreating form and she could have sworn she heard a small chuckle escape the retreating woman.
Closing her eyes, she considered the day once more; the words of her sister and of course the rage. Perhaps it was time she conquered her fear of it and made it part of her own being.
It would not conquer her. She would conquer it.
Tags: @seoulmate
