A Slow Day - 02

Little Sylvana greeted Pride with a wide, innocent smile. "Hello, Aunt Pride. How are you?"

The moment Pride saw that innocent smile and heard that sweet voice, all her frustration and negativity melted away like ice under a summer sun. It was as if the child's smile had healed her.

Pride cooed and slumped forward, engulfing Sylvana in a hug. "Awww," she said, nuzzling her cheek against the child's soft cheek. "Who are your parents, sweetie?"

"Um," the little one began, a hint of confusion clouding her brow frowned as she seemed to search her memory. "Papa's name is Daniel Embereave. As for Mama..." Sylvana trailed off, starting to count on her fingers. "Ummm... I have four mamas right now. The first is Mama Koyuki, the second is Mama Envy, the third is Mama Greed, and the fourth is Mama Penthesilea."

Pride's jaw dropped. "Four mamas?!" she exclaimed, stunned. "And you said the first one is that... fiery... I mean, Koyuki?"