The Adults Are Talking Solo Complete

POV: Margret-Viktoria Rod
Location: Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
Date: July 22, 2023

“She’s a brilliant girl.”

“Of course she is, I’m not saying she isn’t. What I am saying is that I don’t appreciate you coercing my daughter into playing dangerous magical sports that require her to stay home during her school break!”

Margret-Vikortia Rod sits in a plush red lounge chair tucked away in the corner her nephews living room. Her spindly legs crossed over one another as a somewhat warm cup of chai was being precariously balanced in her left whilst her arms began to fold.

“Don’t be so dramatic Anna, she’s always welcome to come back home during her breaks. Some seasons for this particular sport or just more necessary than others. And besides, Broom Racing is the least dangerous sport so you should be relieved over all that she choose that instead of Dueling or applied for the Bludger positon of her houses Quidditch team.”

With her permanent sour expression, Margret carefully watched the woman who stood all but three paces away from her. Although Anna was married to her nephew, Margret knew little about her and she didn’t care to start to begin to know her now. It was the same situation with her own nephew. What she was interested in however, were her great-nieces.

Two out of the three of them had exhibited marvelous magical abilities which Margret had convinced herself had been lost to her family line. Thus, she took it upon herself to begin to guide them with a stern hand down what she believed to be the right direction for them in the wizarding world. So far her eldest great-niece had not demonstrated her academic usefulness, however, she had always been a very physically active girl thus the idea of throwing her into a sport was born. The pros being that she practiced her spells and made important lifelong bonds. The cons being maiming injuries and possible death.

“You saying there are more dangerous sports than flying around the air on a twig at high speeds while your schoolmates blast fire balls at your back, doesn't make me feel any better, Margret!”

“She’s a big girl, she can handle herself. Besides I know how capable she is-”

“It doesn’t matter how capable or brilliant or strong or whatever she is Margret! What matters is her safety. And the only way I know she is safe is if she comes home during her school holidays to be with her Ami and Dad and her sisters.” Anna spit, her right hand swung around in the air with an accusatory manny while her left handle was violently thrust upon her hip. “And speaking of sisters, because Adlai didn’t come home Dorothy had to ride that awful train alone!”

“Adlai had to ride that train alone.” Margret sneered back at Anna before going on. “Time and time again she did. Whether it was coming home for holiday or going back to school she rode that train. Like Adlai, Dorothy is a big girl who can take care of herself.”

“Adlai is the eldest, it’s her responsibility to look after her younger siblings when they are away from home. Though I suppose you wouldn’t understand that. You were never the dotting older sister that Jón’s father deserved. No, you were too proud and too fond of being an only child to pay any mind to baby Ísak.”

“Don’t bring my brother into this.” Margret warned as her cup of tea found its way to the floor. “Why not?” Anna asked, “It’s not like I don’t know everything. You spelled it all out for us when you decided it would be such a bright idea to drag my family and I out to the middle of Wales.”
“That’s the thing Anna, you don’t know everything. You only know part of the story about why I wasn’t there for Ísak.”
“And there you go again with the ‘this isn’t the whole story’ and ‘I’m only letting you know what I want you to know.’ It’s so ridiculous... You are so ridiculous.”

Margret watched as Anna ran her hands down her face. “What do you want me to do then?” Margret asked, holding her hands in front of her as if she were surrendering. “Tell Addie to give up her newly found and beloved sport?”

“And we’re back here now!” Anna groaned. “Yes, we are. Because what you need to understand Anna, is that you don’t get to control that girl anymore. She may say her prayers and read your scriptures but you don’t know the world or work she faces. All I’m trying to do is make sure that she and her sisters are successful. And I need you to trust me and the decisions that I make on their behalf.”

There was obviously still tension in the air as Anna looked back into the eyes of Margret. They both seemed to know that there was both truth and falsehood in the statement that Margret had just made, but at the same time Margret had successfully worn Anna down. Once she had finished heaving a deep sigh, Anna merely whispered an “Ok.” before teetering her way into the kitchen.