Pretend that you want it, don't react
Silk in blue fluttered about her slim body as the woman traipsed across the room to where her small daughter stood, straightening in anticipation. The little girl winced as her mother pulled sharply at her dress.
“Your dress needs to sit properly,” she said. “No use going into a room full of businessmen and their sons and looking like you can’t dress yourself.”
The child took in a sharp breath at the reprimand, and she nodded stoutly, “Yes, mother.”
“Oh, now, darling,” the blonde woman tilted her head and cooed. “No need to look so stern!” she let out a hollow laugh as she spoke. “Don’t scare everybody! Charm them.”
Regan gazed up at her mother’s face in awe - there was the perfect picture of charm in that secretive yet endearing smile.
“Do you understand?” her mother brushed her hand across Regan’s cheek, and paused with impatient eyes for acknowledgement.
Knowing now was the time to copy that smile, Regan drew herself together and forced away the sting of her chiding.
“Very good ...” said her mother already turning away.
~
Hazily the morning came to her, and Regan felt her sheets for fear she was somewhere else. A fragrance lingered -- as though the memory of her mother had shocked her senses into really believing she was alive and right there. A brief glance at the clock told Regan that it was hours before her alarm was due; cold morning light hung low between the curtains. Regan turned over on her pillow and wondered where that memory had come from. It certainly seemed realistic, but she struggled to place it properly. Perhaps she had been younger than her dream-self had assumed.
OOC: So this is definitely not the story I said I would write. Sorry! But music and Avatar happened and then this happened.