#|| guest muse: esperanza

[mxthbladed]

Vaggie smiled as she stood at the edge of the cloud, glancing back at her daughter. "You ready, bebé?"

Esperanza stood beside her, peeking over the edge. Her wings were folded against her back and she felt a small shiver run down her spine as she asked, "You're flying with me, right?"

"Your mother and I will be flying with you, yes," Vaggie confirmed. "We'll be right beside you in case anything happens. But we won't hold your hand. Right, Lute?" she prompted, glancing at her partner.

@holyfurnace

[redxriiot]

@s1lver-bullet gets a Mamashima starter!

Alright, it should be quick and simple. Get into the dorm, leave the treat, get out. Simple, easy, she even got the first few steps down, which was going through the front office without having her son notified, then making her way across campus unnoticed by him. And now came the tricky part, which was making sure that if he was currently in the dorm builidng, he wouldn't come down to see her put the bag of tupperware addressed to him down. Right. Nothing too conspicuous–

"Ah–?!" –like getting startled by sensing a massive electrostatic field and pulling the nearest knife from the block out to brandish as she turned. Great.

[redxriiot]

@quirkhearted​ gets a Mamashima starter!

           Honestly, Esperanza could not see what the fuss about this place was about. Why her son liked being at this agency, why he had so INSISTED she sign the permission to come and even stay here. Whatever, hopefully by the time she was done, she wouldn’t have to worry about that. One way or another.

           Striding through like she knew exactly what she was doing ( she did not; oh, Lord, she absolutely did not- ) was only going to get her so far at this rate. Sure, no one thought to question why she was here, but still–wait, maybe that boy over there could help!

        “You. E’scuse me, may I have a moment?”

[redxriiot]

@heromuses gets a Mamashima starter!

With more frequent villain attacks, it was no surprise they were starting to let the trainees have at the mess more often. Not that it helped settle Esperanza's worries, no, they only grew. Especially with that bullheaded son of hers wanting to play hero so damn bad for whatever reason. Who was bound to be injured on the job–

"Hey–hey, are you okay?" –much like this young girl here. "Can you move?"

[redxriiot]

@s1lver-bullet​​​​​​​​​ said :  Mom+ “Your son is a very caring and wonderful boyfriend!” (from Karla)       『 Meme || Accepting 』

         He was her fucking WHAT now?

         “Ah–I’m glad to hear it.” Well, that marked one more damn thing she had to get a damn surprise in finding out, wasn’t it- "When did you two get together, if you don’t mind me asking?”

[redxriiot]

        A woman appears to be standing in front of the dorm, debating quietly with herself as she occasionally glanced at her phone.

[redxriiot]

Anon​​​​​​​​ said :  Mom + "it must have been hard for his sister, to give up so much for him, was he ever good with that?"          『 Meme || Accepting 』

        “While it was admirable of her to do so, I admit, and appreciate her help, honestly, I find it a detriment to him in particular. It’s only going to serve to teach him that there will always be someone who can prioritize him, and frankly, with his little habit of clinging onto things or people, make him feel hopelessly dependent on her or anyone who gives him that impression once he realizes that is not such the case. Aside that, I would have much rather have had her focus on her studies, even if I do not approve of either choosing such a career path for themselves.”

[redxriiot]

Anon​​​​​​ said : Mom + Do you ever wish Kirishima had chosen a different career?          『 Meme || Accepting 』

           The question had Esperanza’s teeth baring a slight in distaste. Shit–wait, tone it back, tone it back-

            “Well, of course I do. What sort of parent is alright with the idea of their child coming back to them in a body bag sooner than they should? At all?" Well, so much for toning it back- “He’s willful enough to go about doing so as he pleases, no matter what I say, so I’ll support him as much as I can. But I truly would much rather he have chosen something safer. Especially nowadays-” 

[redxriiot]

Anon​​​​​​​​ said :  Mom + Do you like the colour Eijiro dyes his hair?         『 Meme || Accepting 』

         “It’s ridiculous, plain and simple.” The words were not minced as she let out a sigh, shaking her head. “What else am I supposed to feel about it, hm? As with everything he does, he neglected to consult me about it. I left for work with him looking like himself, the next I saw him, I almost have a heartattack from thinking he is some stranger in my house. He still won’t tell me the why he did it. What’s more, he has the nerve to act as though he’s embarrassed about the one he was born with. It is mine as much as it is his father’s. What, did he feel some fucking relief when he made himself look so much different? He sure as hell acts like it.” 

          “I was worried enough that he’d been poisoned by those little friends of his, but after he changed it, his attitude to do everything he wants, whenever he damn wants no matter how it affects anyone else only worsened as well. Really, you can’t blame me for having a less than positive view on it.”

[redxriiot]

s1lver-bullet​:

“His friend…?” Jowi asked, remembering all too clearly the time he had broken Kirishima’s jaw. He regretted that fight a lot, even now. But they did still talk and hang out pretty regularly.

“Y-yes? We train together a lot. I think he sees me as a bit of a barrier to try and climb, since I can break his hardening, and all… but I’d say we’re pretty good friends.”

He nodded as she introduced herself by first name, “Oh, English…”

“Don’t get to speak that much around here.” He continued, “But I had no idea you’d be around. He never really talks much about family.”

         “I see.” He didn’t sound all that sure. Odd. She couldn’t help the way her brows furrowed a little the longer he talked. Some kind of barrier to overcome...that boy was thinking up the strangest things for all the wrong reasons.

          “I do apologize for any trouble he’s caused you. I know he can be quite the handful.” A damn stubborn little handful with such ridiculous impulsivity–

        “I am dropping a little unannounced,” Esperanza admitted. “I don’t get to see him as often, especially after he had me let him move here. I thought I’d surprise him. See if things really are alright around here, hm?" A sigh left her as she shook her head. “It doesn’t surprise me at all he hasn’t mentioned me. He was never one to talk about school or his friends either.” One would almost think him embarrassed, or so she figured–

[mxthbladed]

Her back straightened at that and she flashed a grin. "I can't wait to wear it. You'll see me on graduation day and you'll know I worked my ass off for it. I'm going to aim for top graduate," she announced. She got to her feet when she was done and cleared her plate for the dishwasher.

She said, "I should probably pack..."

Chuckling faintly, Lute nodded slightly at her daughter's words. "I already know that you'll be an incredible warrior, Esper. You'll definitely be worthy of the uniform." She said, her smile widening as she gazed at the younger angel proudly. "I can't wait to see you wear it."

[mxthbladed]

Esper nodded, looking a bit put out by the news but she didn't argue, knowing that her mother wouldn't tolerate it. And besides, it kind of made sense, really. If someone wasn't cut out for the exorcists, they'd surely let sinners go loose...

"I know. I wouldn't expect it anyway. And I wouldn't want it. I'm too competitive for that," she added, a small smirk coming to her features.

"No." Lute responded, shaking her head curtly. "Recruit training goes for eighteen months, so we can make sure that you're really cut out for it." Her expression shifted slightly, a strange, cold anger simmering behind her eyes for an instant before she shoved it away again. "Some of our sisters can be... soft. During the year, that's not an issue, but I need to make sure that they can be proper warriors for the Extermination."

Lute's face was still hard, even as she offered her daughter a faint smile. "I trust that won't be a problem for you, Esper, but it's like I said; no special treatment."

[mxthbladed]

She did as instructed, sitting down and eating with gusto. Esperanza knew that her life was going to change. What had once been mundane and slow would surely become difficult at times but likely full of excitement. Her thoughts were racing and there was so much she wanted to ask, wanted to say, but she couldn't bring the words forward.

After a moment, she asked, "Will I graduate in enough time for this year's extermination?"

She chuckled faintly, tightening her wing around her daughter and moving to press a quick kiss to the top of her head. "I know you will. And honestly, out of your whole group of recruits, you're already one of the most impressive." Lute said with a grin before pulling away. "Now sit down, eat; you've got a big day tomorrow. You're going to need your strength."

[mxthbladed]

She was almost embarrassed by the speed with which she got closer to accept the embrace, curling into the warmth and softness of her mother's wing. After all, with her training beginning tomorrow, this might be one of the last times in a while that she'd get this kind of affection.

"I am," she replied. "I've worked hard to get recruited. And I'm gonna keep working hard the whole time." She knew it would mean seeing her mami's side of the family even less than she already did but by the time her training would be done, it would be worth it. She was sure.

"Good." Lute said, nodding slightly. She paused, watching her daughter for a moment before letting a slight smile creep onto her face. "And I am so, so proud of you, little bird." She said after a minute, spreading one wing out in an offer for an embrace. "You've come so far in just a few years; you should be proud of yourself, Esper."

[mxthbladed]

Esperanza nodded. "I didn't expect special treatment. I have every intention to earn my rank. I'm going to make you proud!" It was all she'd ever wanted in life, even from a young age, after all.

At the mention of Adam, Esperanza admittedly felt herself fight back a grimace. She didn't particularly like him on the best of days, so the very idea that he'd give her one of his "famous" nicknames irked her a bit. However, she answered, "Yes, ma'am."

"Of course you will; I wouldn't expect anything less." The elder angel responded as she stepped into the kitchen. "You'll be working for your position, of course, same as every other recruit. Any privileges that you get will be earned as you rise up in the ranks, not just given because you're my daughter. I know I've said it before, but I won't be your mother while you're in training, I'll be your Lieutenant Commander, and I hope you understand that."

Lute paused for a moment as she sat down at the table, pressing her lips into a thin line as she thought about something. "... I need you to tell me if Adam ever tries to give you one of his nicknames, though."

[mxthbladed]

Esperanza lit up at that and she grinned, jumping to her feet. It was incredible news. She'd been on a waiting list since the previous year to join the exorcists. "Awesome! I can't wait. I'm going to be the top recruit in my class- I promise!"

She started towards the kitchen right after her mother. Esperanza had chosen to make a meal that she knew her mother would like while avoiding anything that she knew Vaggie used to make. It was just too painful for either of them still, honestly.

A faint sound of impressed acknowledgement had left Lute for a moment when she saw what her daughter had just been doing, and she nodded slightly in thanks at Esperanza's words. She'd just moved to step past the younger angel towards the small kitchen when she heard the question, and the ghost of a smile spread across her face for an instant as she turned back towards her daughter.

"Yes, you did. You'll be moving into the barracks tomorrow morning, so after dinner you should pack some essentials to bring with."