#Alimani Yettah

[fouracaba]

Someday I will get Sennaba to dress appropriately for our family.

In the wake of the latest toy’s arrival and cultivation, I found myself thinking of family. I don’t see my own except on holy days. Father’s piety can be tedium itself. And of course he doesn’t approve of my lifestyle, though he was once as cut-throat a merchant as the Arch ever knew.

He never ceases to judge and lecture on faith, and acceptance. Losing Sainra to bandits probably was what changed him. I barely even remember her. 

I never did care for Sennaba’s choice of man, but her daughter is admittedly fairly special. I shall have to visit Siah again. 

She chose father’s name instead of her own, which speaks well of her...

.. even if she does favour her Canthan father. Lion’s Arch breeds such interesting mixes.

After this amusing interval named Valek passes, anyway.

[alimaniyettah]

Proverb

“ A cripple is one who has sense; he dances while leaning against the walls. “ (Shona proverb)

I live an odd existence. Besides Tasso, I am a man alone, and Tasso remains a boy yet, though he grows into a man such as I am proud to name my grandson. Tasso and I are united, it seems at times, in the unending onslaught that is our women.

Sennaba, my eldest daughter, unable to fill the void of our lost Saidra. 

She reminds me of my wife. My precious one. The choices our Sennaba made were foolish, but Siah is a blessing and a curse alike. Senn was a moody, quiet child prone to temper, which only Saidra could soothe. Until the bandits took her.

Saidra.

I would that the Gods had told me your fate, my baby. I held you as a squalling infant, I watched you grow. Your absence is a hole in my heart, and it swallowed your mother entire.

The shadow of that loss coloured our Senn, and likely Fouracaba with her. But Senn’s tempers grew and remained, and I was only one by then, unable to control her when she found a boy, bedded him, and wedded him when she swelled with his child.

I’d have killed him if he hadn’t wed her. He knew that after I held the little rat by his throat and promised him in no uncertain terms just what his fate would be.

The only thing that boy did right was father Siah. Fire in her veins, her mother’s temper, that baby was the Domain of Anguish sometimes.

But other days as sweet souled and giving as a little girl really could be.

I wish Senn had spent more time with her. They’re so alike, those two, and much as I try, I don’t think they’ll ever realize how close they are in nature.

I raised Siah after Senn joined the Vigil. Foura and I raised her.

Fouracaba.

My youngest daughter. My freest spirited. We spent so much to send her to that Academy. And she bloomed like a rose. Such power and so many gifts.. and while I... do not approve of the life she has chosen to live... I love her as I love my other girls. 

They drive me mad most days, but I love them all. My family. 

Especially Tasso.

Tasso was Fouracaba’s, raised alongside Siah and in secret. I think I’m the only other one who knows the truth, and while I admit I was... shocked... I have a grandson whom I love. And daughters I am mad about. And if I can prevent Siah trying to make me raise a child on her behalf too, I can die happy!

The path I walked isn’t the one I first would have chosen, but I love the company I keep on it.