Originally Posted by
Cthulhu_of_R'lyeh
A blessing, and at times curse of the bond they shared, Ishtar felt the fear well before Sarada ever responded.
What the Saiyan said a moment later however, as she quickly stripped out of her new regalia- tossing away her crown and ornate pauldron almost bordering on disdain- was as surprising as it was understandable. Sarada had proven her strength, had shown herself to be the strongest in the Empire, and in so doing had secured her place as Queen; as well as the responsibility of leading the newly unified Saiyan Empire. And in realizing that, she was scared. Scared that she was going to make a mistake. Scared that no matter how big, or small such a mistake might be, it would filter down to the twenty-eight million souls now under her rule and bring suffering and ruin upon them.
Behind that fear too, was the feeling of unworthiness.
A thing that seemed to swell as she held that ancient medallion- battered with time, and age, and conflict- and considered all those who had worn it before, and what it meant now that she found herself wearing it. What that would change ...
Ishtar chose to remain silent then, as Sarada continued to consider things, at least for the moment.
Interrupting the flow of thoughts, and outpouring of emotion would simply serve to stifle it. So the golden-eyed Oni simply nodded along with her head resting gently on Sarada's shoulder; until her Saiyan love signaled the end with a soft squeeze and a simple truth: that it did not matter where she was going, or what happened in the end, so long as Ishtar was there.
The Oni kept silent a moment still, then, opting to let her emotions- love, and a swelling joy- speak for her a moment while she ordered her own thoughts.
"" Ishtar finally got around to saying.
"I have seen many rulers come and go, in my time. Watched them make the mistakes you worry over making. Watched how they handled them, and the hardships borne of them ... and in this you will be no different. You will in time, make mistakes. There will be hardships ..." The Oni said softly, falling silent a moment to nuzzle Sarada softly, and return her comforting squeeze. "That your concern is not that you will fail, but that in your failure others will suffer, is in many ways however, evidence that your best is certainly more than 'good enough'; and in time you will make for a great Queen."
Ishtar chuckled then, and offered Sarada a soft kiss before letting slip a sigh that was equal parts tired, and content.
"Yet, you are not alone to bear this burden. You said it yourself but a few moments before: 'I have you' ... and you certainly do." The golden-eyed Oni said softly, with another happy sigh. "And to me, it does not matter how weak, or strong you feel in the moment ... how unsure. I will be there with you ever step of the way, offering support, and love, and food, and anything else you may need as we find our way forward; because there is no place else I would rather be than right here beside you."
The golden-eyed Oni turned to look at Sarada then, and offered her love a smile as she took both of the Saiyan's hands in her own.
"After all, I love you Sarada, and I can say with no uncertainty that I always will."