Bab 49: Omake 17: Worried Dad (C)
"Children begin by loving their parents; as they grow older they judge them; sometimes they forgive them." – Oscar Wilde
When I was really young, I used to think that my parents were just insane in spending entire days waiting for me to come back home if I had some stuff that took me out of my hometown. I knew even when this first started that it was all for the sake of them showing me all their care in that form of irrational worrying over my safety.
I was so clueless how strongly this would have impacted on me when Cinder decided to take her first mission as part of Menagerie's militia. While most of the Grimm population had been purged through relentless assaults from the local militia, striking them away from more fertile territories, the same drive didn't extend to a hostile environment by the mountain range splitting the island in half.
These sections were considered good testing grounds for anyone planning to join the militia and be part of active combat duties. Cinder hadn't studied to become part of it, but she had several times now requested to be vetted and tested if she was able to take up a challenge that was made by numerous Grimm. I had refused when she first asked me this around the age of fourteen. When she stopped asking about it, I thought she had learned that she wasn't prepared enough.
I was right, she really knew she wasn't prepared and… that drove her to train really hard and with the most serious mindset possible. Several months later, I was called by Sienna for a couple of issues having been notified by a captain of the militia. A 'little girl' had challenged a squad of four young rookies to a fight, all for the sake of receiving a recommendation from the captain that allowed her to try and do the test meant to accept Militiamen into the fold.
The result? I had to pay a couple medical checks as Cinder happily mentioned that she solved the problem I had put her through.
My response? She was given a big lecture about plotting such a cunning and masterful plan without telling me anything about it. Not because I found it wrong, but because she could have messed up and hurt herself in the process.
Despite my anger at that circumstance… I decided to give her the green light to give it a try. Everything was monitored, with squads meant to remain in standby and intervene if the situation got too heated. I remember Sienna mentioning how she had sent some of the White Fang grunts to 'make some bones' out of these experiences, and she was satisfied by the effective intervention made by the reserves whenever there was a case of the rookies risking to be overwhelmed.
The issue behind my current worry? I wasn't allowed to give a look to how she was faring during the test. I was supposed to stay at home after I was done with the last paperwork for the week, waiting for good news as I writhed under the pressure of being a concerned dad.
THIS IS ATROCIOUS!
It doesn't mean you have to… stay like this.
[Of course he does! Are you perhaps going to ignore the fact he needs to be free in case something bad happens?!]
Things will be fine-
How do you know?! My baby girl could be in terrible danger. I should totally take the shotgun-
[Maybe call Ironwood too-]
And call STRQ to aid us too! It could be the final battle- maybe she needs my help and-
ENOUGH! Both of you are being overly-childish.
I sat down like a depressed old man that had been sucker-punched for being a good dad… by someone that hadn't been much of a good dad.
Hours burned away as I tried to keep up a determined stance in this current reaction. I waited for something to happening, something to spring me in action and end this miserable torture that was waiting.
Finally, I tensed up as I heard the distinct clicking noise of the door being unlocked. I perked up as I saw the handle being pulled and I felt relief as I saw Cinder walk inside without any noticeable wounds or signs of stress on her body. She looked fine, if not annoyed by something that had happened during the mission.
The very moment she closed the door and made her way towards the living room, the young woman paused as she noticed that I was waiting for her return.
Her eyes widened, a perplexed blink coming shortly after and… then she hummed. "How long have you been there?"
…
"I don't think you will be happy with that answer."
"how long."
…
"A while?"
"How. Long?"
…
"Twelve hours."
Her mouth opened, shock forming and then breaking as she contemplated what I had just said.
"Why?"
"Why not?"
"I'm serious, father," The girl remarked. "Why did you wait for me this long? Did you… doubt me?"
"What? No!"
"Then why?"
… "I was… worried. I don't doubt your skills but- but I can't just not be worried!"
…
"Father- Dad," Cinder said with a quieter tone, approaching my seat and sitting beside me. "Are you… alright?"
"I'm… just tense. You know what worry can do. For twelve hours."
"I still don't understand."
"When you will be at the point in your life where you will have a child of your own, going for a mission that may or may not go well regardless of their skills, then yes, you will understand a couple of unpleasant emotions nobody really wants to feel."
…
"Sorry?"
"It's not your fault. Your dad might be tough but he needs a wee bit of time to get ready to handle the fact you are growing in a fine warrior that will possibly hold a grand position of power."
Cinder nodded quietly, leaning down on my shoulder as I pulled her in a little hug.
"Do you… want to talk about it?" She asked and I sighed.
"I don't wish to bore my strong daughter. You know? I will also need to make sure Nora doesn't pull that same stunt of yours in the next few years."
She chuckled, happily enjoying the cuddling. "She will not. I will… help you and… mom with that."
I chuckled, humming quietly as I enjoyed the relative closeness.
Yep, being a parent for a smart and deadly cookie is tough.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone