Should be the last for now.

"What's the matter with you, Arcane?!"
"Leave me the hell alone, woman."
"You just tear his heart out and stomp on it in front of him-"
"Don't, Rhiannon."
"How can you just not care?!"
"How dare you!"
Rhia sucked in a breath and pulled the young Seth to her, arms around him to hold him close. They both stood there, staring at Arcane, his black eyes raging at them.
"How dare you say I don't care!"
"Don't you...?"
"He's my son! Of course I care!"
Rhia recognized the look in his eyes then. It was hurt; betrayal; sadness. How could she not have seen it before?
"I love him..." Those words visibly strained him, and why not? They went against his nature. "I'm just incapable of showing it." He reached a hand out and touched Rhia's cheek, their gazes locked. "I love you, as well, Rhiannon. I wish more than anything I could show you, but I can't." His fingers stroked her face, other hand coming to rest on Seth's shoulder. "Please don't think that I don't care." He pulled the both of them to him. "You're my family. Of course I care." With those words, and a ghost of a kiss to Rhia's lips, he was gone.

Wong escorted the new slave out of the carriage, taking ahold of the chain leash again. "What do you think?" He could tell she wasn't impressed, she gazing boredly at the estate. Well, he'd have to find some other way to impress her. He led her on into the courtyard and out the back towards the slave chambers. He didn't have to pull or drag her along, as though she knew fighting would only make her lose the energy she'd be needing later. "You'll be staying here." He unhooked the chain from her collar, but stopped her for a moment. "You will be tested tomorrow. You will be assigned your duties based on your performance."
"So be it." No longer holding her back, she walked into the small building, the slavemaster closing the door behind her.
"This...will not be easy."
-----
The next day, he woke to the sounds of fighting. He groaned, careful not to wake his wife as he pulled himself out of bed. He must have slept late. He wrapped a robe around himself and moved out onto the balcony that overlooked the training yards. There, he saw her. She was in new clothes, the uniform of the slaves, with nothing but a bare broomstick in her hand. Somehow, she was fighting off wave after wave of attacks by the guards who were testing her. She'd had any choice of weapons in a room. If his mind served him correctly, that broomstick hadn't even been one of the weapons, far sturdier staffs on the walls. He grinned to himself as he watched. "She has spunk, and skill. No wonder she has the name Typhoon." The sound of coughing came from inside the room, soft at first, then uncontrollable. He withdrew into the room to care for his dying wife.

"Redairu, wait!"
"That's Captain, private."
"Yes, ma'am. Sorry."
She sighed and slowed long enough for the recruit to catch up. He came to a walk beside her. She noticed him watching her and glanced up to him in annoyance. "Well? Just ask already."
He blushed slightly and looked away. He was young, but still older than Red, and about half a foot taller. "Well, um...how old-"
"Fifteen." This wasn't the first time a recruit had asked these questions. Hell, generals who didn't know her story asked these questions.
"And when-"
"Three."
"Three?! How did-"
"I was orphaned. The ambassador took me in. I got put to work since he couldn't look after me."
"Wow...but a captain?"
"I've been doing this stuff longer than most captains."
"I see." He regarded her in silence as they approached the mess hall. She glanced towards him again. Now what?
"Anything else, private?"
"Er, well..." He blushed again. Ugh, what a girl. "I, um, have been having trouble with my mobile suit. I was hoping...that you might...you know..."
"Show you a thing or two?"
"Y-yes. Please?"
She sighed and rolled her eyes. Why were recruits always such a nuisance? "Sure."
"Thank-you!" With that, he ran on ahead, probably to catch up with his real friends.