Nina
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Posts: 148
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Post by Nina on Feb 19, 2024 6:06:14 GMT -6
Marta didn’t say anything at first, instead just looking at the ground. There it was. The shattering feeling. Had she said something wrong? Nina’s voice became more desperate. “Y-you don’t have to show me, it’s okay, if you, ah, if you don’t like them, or me, or…”
‘Oh no,’ Marta interjected. She felt really bad for what she was about to say, but it made her feel even worse to hear Nina suggest that she didn’t like her. Marta held up the notebook, now tattered and warped beyond repair.
‘I am sorry. Your gift. I ruined it.’
“Wh-what happened?” Nina said, running her fingers along the waterlogged pages. It was obvious that it had gotten wet, but there was more to the story than that. As she looked up at Marta, she began to notice that she, too, was looking a bit bedraggled with twigs in her hair and mud stains on her previously pristine white robe.
[8.8, 2.6]
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Nina
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Posts: 148
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Post by Nina on Feb 19, 2024 6:06:35 GMT -6
‘There was a storm, and I could not protect it. I am sorry.’ Marta looked deeply ashamed, but the statement only made Nina more concerned.
“Marta… This is a bit of an, ah, odd thing to ask, but - where do you live?” A storm, the book, her muddy robe; all things that pointed to her sleeping outside.
Marta looked embarrassed and began rubbing the back of her neck with her free hand. ‘I do not have anywhere, well… permanent to stay.’
“Marta…” Nina’s voice was quiet, barely above a whisper. “Look,” she said, her voice regaining strength as she gained clarity about what she had to do. “I know this is weird, but I think… I would like to invite you, to ah, to stay. At my farm. I have plenty of space, and a lot of creatures you could meet, and there’s a ton of us there, it really wouldn’t be a burden, and I hate to think you’re not, ah, not safe, you know, out there on your own, and…”
[8.9, 2.8]
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Nina
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Posts: 148
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Post by Nina on Feb 19, 2024 6:06:50 GMT -6
‘Nina. That is very generous of you, but…’
“If you won’t take my offer, then maybe we can, ah, strike a deal. Like you could, ah, help me to care for my creatures, and earn your place to stay.” Nina knew that particular arrangement all too well, and it was the obvious place for her to go when she started to feel rejected. Suddenly, it all started to make sense. This was her opportunity to support someone in need, the same way Silver had done for her all those years ago. It had come full circle, and now she was the one holding out her hand, offering to help someone who had nowhere else to go.
Nina may not have a very expressive face, but Marta could tell how serious she was. Not only that, but a roof over her head sounded amazing after everything she had been through recently. While she was at the Zu, she learned that Nina had started the whole thing by herself. It was a truly inspiring story, and Marta was instantly reminded about that kindness and bravery talking to her now.
‘I really do not think I could change your mind. Even if I wanted to.’
[9, 3]
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