Part 2<\/b><\/p>\n
\u201cHow would you describe your sex life?\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Marsha Van Buren\u2019s million dollar question seemed to splat on the walls of the room like a rotten tomato. There was a stunned silence for a moment as the discomfort set in, and Dr. Van Buren took that opportunity to study her patients.<\/p>\n
Cordelia gaped at her with a deer-in-the-headlights look. She blinked once, then delicately closed her full mouth and swallowed, her eyes darting away and down to the purse she clutched like a lifeline in her lap.<\/p>\n
Angel was also shocked, although the evidence was less apparent. He didn\u2019t move at all, not even a little bit, but his eyes dilated and grew noticeably darker. After a moment, a muscle in his jaw twitched, and Dr. Van Buren saw that he was fighting for control of his instincts. It was clear that he was considering this a show down. The stubborn line of his jaw said it all.<\/p>\n
What was most clear to her was that neither of them wanted to answer the question. Not that she\u2019d expected them to. This was a first session, after all. She didn\u2019t really expect them to discuss the intimate details of their sex lives with her, in front of each other, at this first meeting. But Dr. Van Buren had found, in her many years of practice, that if she began with an earth-shaking question, her patients were much more likely to be forthcoming about other issues. Anything to avoid answering the first question she\u2019d posed.<\/p>\n
As Dr. Van Buren collected the data on her patients, Cordelia\u2019s mind was rushing in a vortex of panicked thought that threatened to overload her brain.
\nShe looked resolutely down at her lap, wanting to avoid eye contact with the evil, uncaring woman who was supposed to be her therapist.<\/p>\n
What the hell kind of question was that?<\/i> Cordelia thought angrily. My sex life? What sex life? Um, let\u2019s see. Got screwed by a jerk who impregnated me with demon babies, and I\u2019ve been kinda gun-shy ever since. I can\u2019t stand to be in the same room as the vampire that I\u2019m insanely attracted to because his presence does things to my body that \u201calone time\u201d just can\u2019t salve. Does that about cover it?<\/i><\/p>\n
Instead, she cleared her throat and spoke, realizing that Angel might as well have been carved out of marble. It was clear that he wasn\u2019t going to talk first.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo I have to answer that?\u201d she asked timidly, her fingers, toes, ankles, and eyes crossed, just for good measure. Please, oh, please, God, make her say no.<\/i><\/p>\n
Dr. Van Buren just smiled again, a toothy, white smile that reminded Cordelia of a piranha. All she needed to do to complete the image was to file her teeth down to a sharp point. The woman was obviously into some seriously dark shit; there was no way a person could legitimately manage to look so innocent while asking a loaded question like that.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll tell you what, Cordelia. Why don\u2019t we save that question for later, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia nodded in relief. Never would be better, but for now, this would do.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that okay with you, Angel?\u201d Dr. Van Buren asked the silent vampire, wanting to at least hear his voice once.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d he said tersely, staring her down.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery good,\u201d the therapist said, nodding. With an efficiency of movement that could only come from years of practice, she flipped open the notepad on her lap. Scanning her notes, she made some affirming noises in the back of her throat, then looked up at the couple in front of her. Neatly folding her hands on top of the notepad, she looked them both over thoroughly. It was obvious, just from the tension in their postures alone, that she would have to work very hard to make marked progress in these short six months.<\/p>\n
Dr. Van Buren pinned Cordelia and Angel with her eyes as she spoke. \u201cMr. Wyndham-Pryce tells me that the two of you are having some interpersonal problems that are affecting your work. As your employer, he felt it necessary to seek professional help for you so that he wouldn\u2019t have to resort to letting you go. It is unfortunate that the discord in your relationship has caused strife in the workplace, but it is wonderful that the two of you have the opportunity, because of this problem, to work out the differences between you and to bring your relationship back to the rewarding place it once was.\u201d<\/p>\n
They just stared at her, Cordelia squirming uncomfortably and swallowing. Angel uncrossed his arms, only to re-cross them in the opposite position. Their postures were most definitely closed.<\/p>\n
Dr. Van Buren\u2019s speech didn\u2019t stop despite her patients\u2019 reluctance. \u201cIt is highly unusual, but Mr. Wyndham-Pryce will be reporting your activities at the workplace to me as part of your therapy. We both feel that this six months must be as productive as possible, since it is clear that you do not desire further treatment. It is my professional opinion that we can have many of the issues between you resolved by that point.\u201d<\/p>\n
She scanned her notes one more time, then snapped the notebook shut and flashed another of her toothy smiles.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo,\u201d she concluded. \u201cLet\u2019s begin with a less intimidating question, shall we?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia breathed a sigh of relief and let a ghost of a smile fleet across her face. Angel\u2019s shoulders relaxed just a bit, and the dark anger in his eyes receded just a fraction.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve informed you of what Mr. Wyndham-Pryce told me about why you are here, but I\u2019d like to hear it from you. Cordelia, do you think your relationship with Angel has problems?\u201d<\/p>\n
She frowned, but nodded. \u201cYes. We fight all the time now, and its not ever about something important. I didn\u2019t want to agree with him, but Wesley\u2019s right. That\u2019s not a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel?\u201d Dr. Van Buren asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we have problems. But everyone fights, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Dr. Van Buren conceded, \u201cbut the types of disagreements that you\u2019re describing are not healthy ones. They only serve to separate you from each other even further. So, since you both agree that at least on the surface, your problems manifest themselves in arguments, lets explore some of that now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia grimaced and Angel visibly squirmed.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordelia, what is something that Angel does that bothers you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo I have to do this?\u201d she said, looking sideways at Angel.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll give you a choice,\u201d Dr. Van Buren said wickedly. \u201cI\u2019ll let you answer my first question if you don\u2019t want to answer this one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia answered so quickly she nearly overlapped her words with Dr. Van Buren\u2019s. \u201cHe slurps his blood when he drinks it.\u201d Dr. Van Buren\u2019s threat had worked.<\/p>\n
Angel frowned at her. \u201cI do not,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you do,\u201d Cordelia said. \u201cYou aren\u2019t loud about it, but when I\u2019m standing close to you, I can hear it. It\u2019s like you\u2019re sipping through a straw with a hole in it, and it bugs me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t help that,\u201d he said. \u201cMy fangs make it hard to swallow like a human.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you don\u2019t even vamp out when you drink!\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot completely, but I do extend my teeth. Besides, its not like your eating habits are perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d she said indignantly. \u201cI have impeccable table manners.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAren\u2019t you the one who eats a piece of pizza in three bites?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was hungry! And that was only that one time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou scarfed it like a pig, Cordy. Admit it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you did. And you belch with the best of them. That\u2019s not rude?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia blushed furiously. \u201cI was drunk! All people do stupid stuff when they drink.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose you should know,\u201d he said cryptically.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is that supposed to mean?\u201d she said again, realizing she\u2019d uttered that phrase more times than she could count lately.<\/p>\n
He shrugged, that evil smile covering his face again. \u201cI\u2019ve seen you do some pretty wild stuff when you drink, Cordy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLike what, Mr. Perfect?\u201d she challenged<\/p>\n
\u201cRemember last summer when we were living in your apartment, and you went out with Monica?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d she said suspiciously, the dread growing. She\u2019d come home plastered and didn\u2019t remember anything beyond stumbling out of the cab into her apartment. Angel had been gone, or so she\u2019d thought.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were smashed when you came home, and you offered me a lap dance. You said that Monica had dragged you to a strip club and you\u2019d been given a few lessons in proper technique.\u201d<\/p>\n
Okay, so it was an all-out lie. She\u2019d stumbled into the apartment and to her bed without even noticing him. But god, was it fun to watch her squirm.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did NOT say that!\u201d she said. Oh, god, please don\u2019t let me have said that!<\/i><\/p>\n
He just raised his eyebrows and dared her to question him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did I do?\u201d she whispered, biting her lip.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou walked over to the stereo, put in a CD you thought was sexy, and started to strip. It would have been sexy, too, if it hadn\u2019t been ABBA\u2019s \u2018Dancing Queen\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, god,\u201d she whispered, her face flaming.<\/p>\n
He made it worse, unfurling the talents of manipulation that had lain dormant since he\u2019d acquired his soul. He was savoring every second. \u201cYou took off your shirt, but you got the zipper on your skirt stuck. You tried to get me to help you, but you tripped over your shirt on the floor and then passed out. I had to put you in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
She wanted to melt into the carpet. She remembered waking up without her shirt on and her skirt half unzipped, her shoes barely clinging to her feet.<\/p>\n
In an attempt to salvage her pride, she gathered up her dignity and said, with her chin thrust in the air, \u201cYou\u2019re not exactly Mr. Personality when you\u2019re drunk, either, Angel,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s true,\u201d he admitted, turning the tables on her and making the fun drain out of her insult like air leaking from a balloon. \u201cMy soul is less inhibited when I drink and my demon gets either mean, or horny.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Van Buren decided this was the best point to change the subject. \u201cOkay, I think we\u2019ve established that complaint,\u201d Dr. Van Buren cut in dryly. \u201cAngel, it\u2019s your turn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut he\u2019s humiliated me already!\u201d Cordelia complained.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s still his turn,\u201d Dr. Van Buren said, her eyes forcing Cordelia\u2019s compliance. \u201cYou began the last topic of conversation. Angel, what does Cordelia do that bothers you?\u201d<\/p>\n
The sullen brunette just sunk further back into the sofa and crossed her arms defiantly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hate how she parades around in indecent outfits all the time,\u201d Angel said truthfully. Okay, so maybe he wasn\u2019t going to be completely dishonest during these sessions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not indecent!\u201d she argued.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are, too,\u201d Angel argued back, getting caught up in his complaint. \u201cLike today. What\u2019s up with that? A skirt so short that Dr. Van Buren can probably see everything? And your shirt! It\u2019s white, and your bra is white and sheer. Need I say more? On top of that, rain was forecasted for today, and you forgot your coat. How blatant is that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia knew he was right, but she wasn\u2019t going to let him win. \u201cLike you\u2019re Mr. Conservative,\u201d she shot back. \u201cYou walk around in sweatpants that leave nothing to the imagination and your chest bare. And the black on black thing fits you like a glove. Like right now! I can see every muscle in your chest and you don\u2019t even have to take your shirt off!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about Cordelia\u2019s clothing bothers you, Angel?\u201d Dr. Van Buren asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not safe,\u201d Angel said reluctantly. \u201cMen gape at her wherever we go, and I have to protect her. She\u2019s like a walking Fredrick\u2019s of Hollywood ad half the time. If she draws less attention, I don\u2019t have to worry about it so much.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wear Victoria\u2019s Secret, moron, and you weren\u2019t there to protect me a few months ago. I did fine without your sorry ass then,\u201d she reminded him bitterly.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you had Gunn there, and he did what he could. Alone, you wouldn\u2019t survive,\u201d he said, not realizing how macho and man-centric he sounded.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is so sexist, Angel!\u201d<\/p>\n
He shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Van Buren entered the conversation again. \u201cIt bothers you to have other men look at Cordelia?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHell yeah,\u201d Angel said. \u201cShe\u2019s putting herself in danger by taunting men that way. She\u2019s my seer, and I need her alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think there might be other emotions involved beyond a need to protect her?\u201d Dr. Van Buren asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d he said, confused. Why had he ever been honest? He\u2019d forgotten his role, and now he was losing his grasp of the conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve been angry and distant from each other recently, just coming back from being separated, and you don\u2019t like other men are looking at her. What emotion does that sound like to you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt sounds like jealousy,\u201d Cordelia answered for him, her anger fading as she was intrigued by the possibility.<\/p>\n
Dr. Van Buren frowned at her. \u201cCordelia, it would be beneficial for Angel to answer the question for himself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel was just staring at Cordelia, glaring at her, actually. \u201cI am not jealous!\u201d his eyes whipped back to Dr. Van Buren. \u201cJealousy is not it. It isn\u2019t! I don\u2019t care who she goes out with. She doesn\u2019t answer to me about her dates. We\u2019re not dating, and I\u2019m not her boss anymore. I don\u2019t have any say in her life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow does it make you feel, no longer having her undivided attention?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing! It makes me feel nothing,\u201d Angel practically growled, the intensity of his emotions getting in the way of his ability to control this situation. Had he really thought he could manipulate the therapist? Maybe the talents he thought he possessed were just the arrogant posturing of his demon. He\u2019d certainly been turned inside out in the last ten minutes.<\/p>\n
Dr. Van Buren realized she wasn\u2019t going to get anymore out of him about this. She turned to Cordelia, hoping to get to Angel through her. \u201cCordelia, you said you feel that Angel is jealous. Would you explain what you mean, please?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe acts like he owns me half the time,\u201d she said honestly. \u201cYou saw how he feels about my clothes, and I don\u2019t dress nearly as provocatively as I used to. I like to look pretty. What\u2019s the harm in that?\u201d she asked rhetorically.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow does his jealousy, as you call it, make you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI like it and hate it at the same time. It makes me feel cared for, but also smothered. I guess it bugs me that he considers me his property, kinda. I never thought of it like that. It explains a helluva lot about his chauvinistic behavior. Maybe it\u2019s a vamp thing,\u201d she said, shrugging.<\/p>\n
Angel was agog at her roundabout acceptance of his claim. Sure, his demon considered Cordelia his property. Maybe not his mate, but definitely in his family. The last thing he\u2019d expected was for her to accept that, even if it was in her own, illogical way.<\/p>\n
Shrugging it off, he used cocky arrogance and domination to rebuild his confidence and try to regain control of the situation. \u201cAs far as I\u2019m concerned, as long as she stops dressing like she\u2019s auditioning for a Hustler photo shoot, its all good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia gaped at him. Hustler? \u2018It\u2019s all good\u2019? The man had obviously been taking advantage of cable while they\u2019d had it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would never pose for Hustler,\u201d she huffed. \u201cI have more taste than that.\u201d Smiling wickedly to herself, she added as an afterthought, \u201cI\u2019d only pose for Playboy or Maxim. Their layouts are tastefully done.\u201d<\/p>\n
He snarled at her, jealousy flaring despite his denial, then said, \u201cYou could give Pamela Anderson a run for her money, Cordelia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTake that back! I do not dress or act like a skanky ho!\u201d<\/p>\n
He just snorted, so she socked him once in his ribs. Hard.<\/p>\n
\u201cKnock it off, Cordelia!\u201d he growled, finally acknowledging that he couldn\u2019t control anything in the state he was currently in. Maybe he did need professional help. She certainly wasn\u2019t bringing out the best in him lately. \u201cDon\u2019t touch me right now, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
She raised an eyebrow, forgetting Dr. Van Buren again in her irritation. \u201cDon\u2019t touch you? Why not? Afraid you\u2019ll get cooties?\u201d she taunted.<\/p>\n
\u201cCooties?\u201d he said, his glare turning withering. \u201cHardly. I\u2019m afraid of what I might do to you if you continue.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLike what?\u201d Dr. Van Buren asked. \u201cWhen Cordelia annoys you, what do you want to do to her?\u201d<\/p>\n
Should he answer that? Truthfully?<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease be honest, Angel. There should be no secrets here.\u201d Apparently Dr. Van Buren was a mind-reader, too.<\/p>\n
He decided to be honest. Or at least mostly. He didn\u2019t think either Dr. Van Buren or Cordelia were prepared for the unfiltered thoughts of his demon where Cordelia was concerned. \u201cHonestly, I\u2019m torn. But I usually am. The two strongest emotions are frustration and lust. Neither of those help to resolve the argument, they only fan the flames.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a moment he froze, berating himself for admitting that. He wasn\u2019t usually so spontaneous. Why did he agree to this, again?<\/p>\n
Cordelia just gaped at him as the word \u2018lust\u2019 jumped out at her. \u201cWhen we\u2019re arguing, you think about making love?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNever mind, Cordelia. Just forget I said anything, and don\u2019t touch me when I\u2019m angry, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
She just stared at him, the thoughts churning in her head about what he\u2019d meant.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo physical touch is an important catalyst for your emotions, then,\u201d Dr. Van Buren concluded.<\/p>\n
Angel just nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd for you, Cordelia? What role does touch play in your emotions where Angel is concerned?\u201d<\/p>\n
She thought about it for a moment. \u201cI want to touch him in the middle of an argument because I know it riles him up. He lights up like a house on fire, and its amazing to watch. And sometimes when we aren\u2019t arguing, I want to touch him just to see if I get the same reaction. But I don\u2019t.\u201d she added hastily.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see,\u201d Dr. Van Buren said, writing furiously on her notepad for the first time in the session. The two patients just sat and waited for a few moments as she finished.<\/p>\n
Finally, she raised her head and perused their features. \u201cI believe we have gotten off to an excellent start. We have identified that the hurt and anger you have between you manifests itself in petty disagreements. We have identified some of those disagreements, and have determined that physical touch in the heat of the moment only makes those disagreements worse. I believe that is a step in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n
She contemplated them for a moment longer before she continued. \u201cOne integral part of this therapy is a set of homework assignments that I will be giving you. You will be seeing me two days a week for the next six months, and on the second day of the week I will be assigning you homework. To get into that routine, I will be giving you an assignment to be completed in the days between now and Tuesday, our next session.\u201d<\/p>\n
As they realized that the session was ending, both Cordelia and Angel visibly relaxed, the tension draining out of them. But as Dr. Van Buren mentioned homework, frowns took residence on their faces again.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat kind of homework?\u201d Cordelia asked suspiciously. School was not a pleasant memory.<\/p>\n
Dr. Van Buren smiled her piranha smile again. \u201cIt will be easy this time. I would like you to go home and go about your daily routines. When you find yourselves annoyed by each other, I would like you to immediately leave the room and write down what it was that annoyed you. This should not only curb any arguments for the time being, but it should give us something to work with during our next session.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel and Cordelia nodded, visibly relieved that the assignment would be easy. Dr. Van Buren wasn\u2019t finished, however. \u201cIn light of the fact that touch is extremely important in your relationship, I would like to caution you against touching each other until next Tuesday, even in moments not heated by anger. We will explore this avenue in future homework assignments, but doing so at this juncture would be counter-productive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Angel and Cordelia showed no outward evidence of the dismay they felt at Dr. Van Buren\u2019s words. Not touch each other? Okay, so they\u2019d never realized it was so important before.<\/p>\n
Cordelia nearly groaned at the thought that she wouldn\u2019t be able to walk up behind him and lightly touch his arm, or slap him in playful anger. She hadn\u2019t ever noticed how much that meant to her.<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s demon roared at not being able to touch Cordelia, but he refused to explore those thoughts any further. Besides, touching her was usually innocuous. A light hand on her back as they walked out a door. A soft stroke of her shoulder. A light touch of his fingers on her arm. Those touches were all that kept his demon tightly restrained. Without that, he didn\u2019t know if he could hold on.<\/p>\n
Not only that, but Cordelia\u2019s visions were painful enough to cause collapse, and he wouldn\u2019t risk her safety for the sake of therapy. He felt pressured to say as much. \u201cDr. Van Buren, I don\u2019t think its wise to deny us all physical contact. Cordelia\u2019s visions as my seer are painful, sometimes causing her to be dizzy or fall, and I\u2019m often the only thing between her and injury.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI see,\u201d the psychologist nodded. \u201cVery well, then, we\u2019ll modify your assignment. No touching when you\u2019re feeling angry or annoyed with each other. Is that clear?\u201d<\/p>\n
They nodded.<\/p>\n
Satisfied, Dr. Van Buren stood. Shaking each of their hands in turn, she said, \u201cI look forward to our future sessions. Please remember to follow your instructions, so that this therapy can be as productive as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
They nodded again, then left. Walking out to the car in silence, Angel\u2019s hand absently stroked Cordelia\u2019s back as they walked. He didn\u2019t even notice he\u2019d done it, despite their recent discussion. Cordelia didn\u2019t either, although someplace in the back of her mind, his touch served to soothe her, to smooth her wrinkled nerves.<\/p>\n
It seemed that despite their anger, despite their volatile emotions, there was something buried deep within them that was trying to come out. Something that would shatter and shake their lives in a way that would change them forever.<\/p>\n
And when it began to rain, Angel shrugged off his coat without a word, and Cordelia silently shrugged into it, the unspoken agreement between them a testament to the beginnings of a step in the right direction.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Dr. Marsha Van Buren watched the door close softly behind her newest patients, then let her professional fa\u00e7ade relax into something more friendly. She always hated to be aloof with her patients, especially the new ones, when her first instinct was to be reassuring. It was important as a therapist, however, to be clinically detached. Warm, but not let your own emotions worm their way into the therapy. When that happened, therapists would often think they saw progress, when the patient was actually just piggybacking on their doctor\u2019s own emotions.<\/p>\n
If her emotions were going to interfere with any of her patients, this couple would be the most likely to make her break her own rules.<\/p>\n
Standing up from the chair, she crossed the room to the gleaming mahogany desk just behind the sofa that Cordelia and Angel had occupied earlier. She sat in the warm burgundy chair, enjoying the soft supple feel of the fabric against the back of her legs. She stared off into space for a moment, contemplating the decisions she was making regarding these two enigmatic clients, when she seemed to come to a decision.<\/p>\n
With resolve, she picked up the black handset and dialed a number from memory. A husky, heavily accented deep voice answered in the middle of the second ring.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019ello?\u201d There was a crackle on the line for a moment, as if the connection weren\u2019t the greatest, before it smoothed out and she could hear clearly.<\/p>\n
\u201cUncle Ivan, it\u2019s Marsha,\u201d she said, smiling as she imagined the scowl that would cross his face at the sound of her voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, Marshanya,\u201d her aging uncle sighed, a sound that was equal parts resignation and irritation. \u201cCalling me again so soon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, Uncle. I wouldn\u2019t want you to feel neglected,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
He just snorted and waited for her to state her business. It never took her very long.<\/p>\n
\u201cI trust you\u2019ve made the arrangements with the Elders as I requested?\u201d<\/p>\n
He sighed again, and his voice was muffled as he spoke, as if he were running his hand over his face and rubbing it tiredly. \u201cMarshanya, these things take time. The Elders are reluctant to discuss something that is so controversial. What is done, is done. It is not up to us to question the decisions of our ancestors, young one.\u201d<\/p>\n
She frowned, irritated by his excuses. \u201cThe Elders will see me, Uncle. I can tell from your voice that you have arranged that much.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have,\u201d he confirmed reluctantly. \u201cBut they will not agree.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t have to agree,\u201d she said imperiously. \u201cMy status does not require me to consult them. I do so only out of respect for our people. This travesty cannot continue, and if the Elders do not do something, I will.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Marshanya,\u201d her uncle said, \u201cour ways are important, and to circumvent them would defy tradition. If you go against the wishes of the Elders, you will upset the balance we rely so strongly upon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am the embodiment of tradition, Uncle Ivan. I am the seventh daughter of the seventh daughter, the mystical and spiritual leader for our people. I, not the Elders, am the highest authority of our people. I have only allowed things to remain as they have been because I did not wish to cause dissention among our people. But this issue must be resolved.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut to do so with so little regard for the consequences?\u201d he asked, risking her anger but feeling it must be said. He had promised the Elders as much.<\/p>\n
Surprisingly, she did not get angry with him. \u201cIt is because of the consequences that it must be done, Uncle. If it is not, the ramifications of Mother Sasha\u2019s actions so long ago will destroy everything. The balance that you cling to so tightly will dissolve beneath your fingers. The fates have decreed it, and I must comply as is my duty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cVery well, Marshanya. If you are so resolved, I will support you as I should,\u201d Ivan said, sounding more tired and more old than he ever had.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so resolved. The curse must be lifted.\u201d<\/p>\n