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Aug. 17th, 2022 11:31 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsWhile watching over the kids at the Community Centre, Alani and Sooraya's lighthearted observations takes a little more of a serious tone as they talk about the future and family.
The Community Centre in District X had quickly become Alani's second second home, giving her one place to tutor instead of bouncing around the city all hours of the day. Of course, that it also ran classes for people of all backgrounds and ages meant that she'd picked up an alternating afterschool position of a volunteer child minder. That Sooraya was also here was a very lovely bonus.
“Whoever planned this centre deserves an award- Mikaela don’t jump off there!” She didn't like raising her voice, but the panic that suddenly coursed through her was very real.
Sooraya looked up from the button she was sewing on the vest of a little boy after a tumble and had to laugh a little. "She'll be fine. At most she'll have a scraped knee and she'll have learned not to jump from something that high. See..." She nodded towards the girl who had managed a neat landing and was climbing back to her feet with a beaming face.
"You're right, you're right, I'm such a helicopter... watcher," Alani laughed, replacing the idea of parentage in her words though she wiped her hands on her legs firmly as if trying to distance herself from the common connection. "And I know kids do pick up on things very loud and clear even, sometimes my brain just -" She made a shaky hand motion. "But at least they're having fun." And finally the corner of her lips ticked up, corner of her eyes crinkling as she watched the children before them shriek in joy before darting around. "That's what it's all about, right?"
"I think that's one thing we can safely say. They're not home alone or roaming the streets." Sooraya eyed the button critically, giving it a little tug before snipping the thread. "Dylan, your vest is all fixed. Come on get it." A young boy came zooming out of the group and quickly grabbed the vest before going back to chasing after his friends. "You sounded pretty worried though when she tried to jump?"
"Exactly,” Alani agreed with a somewhat proud grin. Of course, her face turned sheepish, as she looked from the kids to Sooraya, eyes darting momentarily to confirm fast movements she was catching out of the corners of her eyes weren't serious. "Yeah, I... I worry. When I tutored, I was in children's homes with them and their parental units or guardians, but they were very much on their best behaviour. I haven't had much experience with free-range kids, living their best lives and playing outdoors with friends, if I'm being honest."
"It's really different." Sooraya agreed. "And I really recognize what you are saying. When I see the kids in the Underground... it's rare that they are playing and running around freely like this. But I remember watching the little ones running around and playing when I was only a little older than them when I was growing up. Those are some good memories."
"Those were the days," Alani sighed wistfully, though the edges of her lips turned down for a moment before she quickly smiled. A wince followed as a young boy threw himself across the monkeybars, followed by his laughing new friends. "Their ability to fling themselves without any fear is absolutely bonkers, though, I don't know if I'll ever get used to watching any children do that. Oh god, actually, I'm pretty sure I was that kid." And that made her laugh, wondering how she hadn't given her relatives a heart attack with adrenaline driven younger self.
"How old do you think they are? Seven, eight maybe. Nine at most for the oldest." Sooraya's eyes narrowed a little as she considered. "Don't underestimate what they are capable of though. At that age I was milking goats and sheep on my own, taking care of horses and camels or cooking food over an open fire."
"Nine at the oldest," Alani agreed after humming in thought. Even at that age she’d been all limbs, looking taller and older than most people thought a nine year old should, and her halcyon days had been in full swing. “I would never underestimate them. I was surfing in small competitions, already snagging places in the top fives when I was that old, babysitting cousins when I wasn’t. Still couldn’t cook, though.”
"Hmmm..." Sooraya nodded, still kinda lost in thought. "I don't have any kids yet, but with the world we live in... it'd be also really easy to put too much on them once you see how strong they can be too..."
"Ah, see, that's something I find myself thinking about a lot if I'm being honest. I mean, I already know I'm a worrier, I just-" Alani paused, smiling at the kids, a group of which had begun to scream in glee as they raced around. "I reckon I just want them to be happy, and I'd figure out things as it went. But no need to rush, right?" And her grin was toothier this time, laughing a little to herself at the prospect of already rushing to have a family.
"You'd want one?" Sooraya asked, glancing over to Alani before returning her gaze to the children. "A family, I mean? One day?"
"Huh?" Alani cocked her head as she looked back to Sooraya, her smile waning for a moment in her curiosity. "Well, yeah, one day. I don't assume it's the same for everyone, but I'd love to have a family - a partner to spend my life with, kids that I've adopted or maybe had myself. To be frank, I'm Kanaka Maoli and Māori and in both there's adoption that would mean my child would be as well in certain regards, any way they come to me — hānai or whāngai adoptions aren't as common now but I'm very much not opposed to them... especially if it'd help this nebulous future child."
She laughed then, face flushing some as she realized she'd been rambling. "And there goes the old rambling self. Sorry about that."
"No worries, Alani." A smile quickly passed over Sooraya's face before fading back into a bit of a lost expression. "And though I don't really know what those kinds of adoptions are, any of those kids would be very lucky to have you. Family... a home... it's created by so much more than blood."
Alani's brows creased together for a moment as she looked at Sooraya, wondering, though she nodded slowly after a moment. "Yeah it is, and sometimes it's found and no adoption is needed, though I'll admit that tends to be a little rarer in cases of little little ones. Sorry," she paused. "If my rambling made you uncomfortable. Like I said, I know the future with 2.5 kids or more isn't for everyone, and I don't wanna imply everyone's gotta. Just my own stance, dear."
"No... it's got nothing to do with that... and you don't have to apologize." Sooraya let out a slow sigh. "I was just thinking about my own family... and how many years it was since I last saw them... it's been over fifteen years."
"That's a long time," she offered instead of any of the emotions that suddenly sprung up. Alani did her very best NOT to wear her heart on her sleeve openly, no frowning or tearing up at the thought. But she reached towards Sooraya, making sure her friend knew she was there for her. "Is there anything I can do to help? Or - well, is there anything I could do for you at all, sweet pea? I don't want to overstep, that's never my intention, but I do think of you as a very close friend who I would do just about anything for."
A sincere smile broke over Sooraya's face. "Thanks Alani. That means a lot... It's just strange. For years I never thought much of my mother. I occasionally wondered, but life here was so busy and full. Maybe it's that I turned thirty last week or that I got that request from Afghanistan... not sure what it is..."
"Both? Could very well be both." Alani returned the smile easily, though she was mentally filing away what Sooraya had said, just in case she could maybe do something for her. Turning to watch a group run after each other, she cocked her head, smile softening again before she looked back to her friend. "I think that if you want to look into it, or just think about it, it's up to you, and, whatever you choose, I'd help support you however you might need."
"Honestly Alani... I'm kinda scared of what I'll find once I start looking. Fifteen years is a long time, especially in Afghanistan... On the other hand... if the request I got is valid and I'll be heading back, I'd be stupid not to look."
"It is a long time, yes, and I could see how it could be scary, I would be scared myself..." She let herself trail off as she turned the situation over in her head. "Not stupid, no. If it's real, if it's possible, though, I think that you might regret not looking, especially when it's possible."
"I'll just have to see what happens..."
"Sometimes that's all we can do, and that's perfectly alright, Sooraya." Alani said, voice even but firm. "You have time, and it's good to think about, but until it comes, there's no use fretting, right? How about you and I, see what the little tikes are up to up close and personal, yeah?"
Sooraya turned to look back at the children, taking them in as she let her doubts subside in the background for a bit. "That sounds like a good idea... little Miriam looks like she is losing with that ballgame and looks like she could use a little help."
The Community Centre in District X had quickly become Alani's second second home, giving her one place to tutor instead of bouncing around the city all hours of the day. Of course, that it also ran classes for people of all backgrounds and ages meant that she'd picked up an alternating afterschool position of a volunteer child minder. That Sooraya was also here was a very lovely bonus.
“Whoever planned this centre deserves an award- Mikaela don’t jump off there!” She didn't like raising her voice, but the panic that suddenly coursed through her was very real.
Sooraya looked up from the button she was sewing on the vest of a little boy after a tumble and had to laugh a little. "She'll be fine. At most she'll have a scraped knee and she'll have learned not to jump from something that high. See..." She nodded towards the girl who had managed a neat landing and was climbing back to her feet with a beaming face.
"You're right, you're right, I'm such a helicopter... watcher," Alani laughed, replacing the idea of parentage in her words though she wiped her hands on her legs firmly as if trying to distance herself from the common connection. "And I know kids do pick up on things very loud and clear even, sometimes my brain just -" She made a shaky hand motion. "But at least they're having fun." And finally the corner of her lips ticked up, corner of her eyes crinkling as she watched the children before them shriek in joy before darting around. "That's what it's all about, right?"
"I think that's one thing we can safely say. They're not home alone or roaming the streets." Sooraya eyed the button critically, giving it a little tug before snipping the thread. "Dylan, your vest is all fixed. Come on get it." A young boy came zooming out of the group and quickly grabbed the vest before going back to chasing after his friends. "You sounded pretty worried though when she tried to jump?"
"Exactly,” Alani agreed with a somewhat proud grin. Of course, her face turned sheepish, as she looked from the kids to Sooraya, eyes darting momentarily to confirm fast movements she was catching out of the corners of her eyes weren't serious. "Yeah, I... I worry. When I tutored, I was in children's homes with them and their parental units or guardians, but they were very much on their best behaviour. I haven't had much experience with free-range kids, living their best lives and playing outdoors with friends, if I'm being honest."
"It's really different." Sooraya agreed. "And I really recognize what you are saying. When I see the kids in the Underground... it's rare that they are playing and running around freely like this. But I remember watching the little ones running around and playing when I was only a little older than them when I was growing up. Those are some good memories."
"Those were the days," Alani sighed wistfully, though the edges of her lips turned down for a moment before she quickly smiled. A wince followed as a young boy threw himself across the monkeybars, followed by his laughing new friends. "Their ability to fling themselves without any fear is absolutely bonkers, though, I don't know if I'll ever get used to watching any children do that. Oh god, actually, I'm pretty sure I was that kid." And that made her laugh, wondering how she hadn't given her relatives a heart attack with adrenaline driven younger self.
"How old do you think they are? Seven, eight maybe. Nine at most for the oldest." Sooraya's eyes narrowed a little as she considered. "Don't underestimate what they are capable of though. At that age I was milking goats and sheep on my own, taking care of horses and camels or cooking food over an open fire."
"Nine at the oldest," Alani agreed after humming in thought. Even at that age she’d been all limbs, looking taller and older than most people thought a nine year old should, and her halcyon days had been in full swing. “I would never underestimate them. I was surfing in small competitions, already snagging places in the top fives when I was that old, babysitting cousins when I wasn’t. Still couldn’t cook, though.”
"Hmmm..." Sooraya nodded, still kinda lost in thought. "I don't have any kids yet, but with the world we live in... it'd be also really easy to put too much on them once you see how strong they can be too..."
"Ah, see, that's something I find myself thinking about a lot if I'm being honest. I mean, I already know I'm a worrier, I just-" Alani paused, smiling at the kids, a group of which had begun to scream in glee as they raced around. "I reckon I just want them to be happy, and I'd figure out things as it went. But no need to rush, right?" And her grin was toothier this time, laughing a little to herself at the prospect of already rushing to have a family.
"You'd want one?" Sooraya asked, glancing over to Alani before returning her gaze to the children. "A family, I mean? One day?"
"Huh?" Alani cocked her head as she looked back to Sooraya, her smile waning for a moment in her curiosity. "Well, yeah, one day. I don't assume it's the same for everyone, but I'd love to have a family - a partner to spend my life with, kids that I've adopted or maybe had myself. To be frank, I'm Kanaka Maoli and Māori and in both there's adoption that would mean my child would be as well in certain regards, any way they come to me — hānai or whāngai adoptions aren't as common now but I'm very much not opposed to them... especially if it'd help this nebulous future child."
She laughed then, face flushing some as she realized she'd been rambling. "And there goes the old rambling self. Sorry about that."
"No worries, Alani." A smile quickly passed over Sooraya's face before fading back into a bit of a lost expression. "And though I don't really know what those kinds of adoptions are, any of those kids would be very lucky to have you. Family... a home... it's created by so much more than blood."
Alani's brows creased together for a moment as she looked at Sooraya, wondering, though she nodded slowly after a moment. "Yeah it is, and sometimes it's found and no adoption is needed, though I'll admit that tends to be a little rarer in cases of little little ones. Sorry," she paused. "If my rambling made you uncomfortable. Like I said, I know the future with 2.5 kids or more isn't for everyone, and I don't wanna imply everyone's gotta. Just my own stance, dear."
"No... it's got nothing to do with that... and you don't have to apologize." Sooraya let out a slow sigh. "I was just thinking about my own family... and how many years it was since I last saw them... it's been over fifteen years."
"That's a long time," she offered instead of any of the emotions that suddenly sprung up. Alani did her very best NOT to wear her heart on her sleeve openly, no frowning or tearing up at the thought. But she reached towards Sooraya, making sure her friend knew she was there for her. "Is there anything I can do to help? Or - well, is there anything I could do for you at all, sweet pea? I don't want to overstep, that's never my intention, but I do think of you as a very close friend who I would do just about anything for."
A sincere smile broke over Sooraya's face. "Thanks Alani. That means a lot... It's just strange. For years I never thought much of my mother. I occasionally wondered, but life here was so busy and full. Maybe it's that I turned thirty last week or that I got that request from Afghanistan... not sure what it is..."
"Both? Could very well be both." Alani returned the smile easily, though she was mentally filing away what Sooraya had said, just in case she could maybe do something for her. Turning to watch a group run after each other, she cocked her head, smile softening again before she looked back to her friend. "I think that if you want to look into it, or just think about it, it's up to you, and, whatever you choose, I'd help support you however you might need."
"Honestly Alani... I'm kinda scared of what I'll find once I start looking. Fifteen years is a long time, especially in Afghanistan... On the other hand... if the request I got is valid and I'll be heading back, I'd be stupid not to look."
"It is a long time, yes, and I could see how it could be scary, I would be scared myself..." She let herself trail off as she turned the situation over in her head. "Not stupid, no. If it's real, if it's possible, though, I think that you might regret not looking, especially when it's possible."
"I'll just have to see what happens..."
"Sometimes that's all we can do, and that's perfectly alright, Sooraya." Alani said, voice even but firm. "You have time, and it's good to think about, but until it comes, there's no use fretting, right? How about you and I, see what the little tikes are up to up close and personal, yeah?"
Sooraya turned to look back at the children, taking them in as she let her doubts subside in the background for a bit. "That sounds like a good idea... little Miriam looks like she is losing with that ballgame and looks like she could use a little help."
