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[wombathouse]

A response to an excellent story by laleia written for the Fic Fest:

A Moment With Two Elenas

Elena Bothari and Elena Visconti's meeting on Escobar.

“I’m sorry-she’s really fussy today, I don’t know why.”

“Babies sense tension.  When my daughter-my other daughter.  Your half-sister...”  
          Elena Visconti cleared her throat, and

Comments

[lilyoftheval5]

Oh, this was very good.
First, points for “Now I’m a survivor.”. She finally let go, I'm glad you gave her that.
Second, kudos on half-siblings. I never even thought of the possibility.
Third, bravo on plausibility.
Fourth, thank you for sharing.

(Fifth, you should consider LJ cuts.)

[wombathouse]

Thank you!! This was inspired by a discussion with laleia, subsequent to her story to the same prompt. She said something to the effect that she couldn't imagine a way that E.V. would forgive Barrayar or Bothari. That got me thinking and this came out. It doesn't end up with the forgiveness either, really, but it's a kind of resolution that lets E.V. be able to accept (or move toward accepting) her daughter E.B. And it feels truly possible, from my own experience

[laleia]

Sorry it took so long to respond -- I'm in China, which blocks livejournal, and have only just now figured out the technology to circumvent the firewall. I like what you've done with the Elenas -- and how you've portrayed the evolution of Elena Visconti. There's still awkwardness, but also a newly-acquired serenity of sorts.

[wombathouse]

Thank you! I'm glad you like it. I think it's another possibility for her character -- not as likely, probably, as the way you wrote her, but a maybe. If she got really good therapy and a lot of love.

China, wow! Are you living there, or just on a trip? I really want to go there someday. My mom went on a boat trip up one of the rivers (the Yangtse, I think?) before they built a big dam on it, & she loved it.