A mother's perspective (Part 2) (Patreon)

Miss Aldora meets Elias's new girlfriend, and she does not seem pleased. Being an older Xolo momma means she tends to bring her old-fashioned stigmas about tiny humans Part 2 from the story by the amazing and talented Nomad3315, originally written as my birthday gift, I finally give it a picture and post it for you, enjoy :3

STORY----------

That weekend, with Elias’s father Ukru away on business in another country, the Aldora estate was quiet and vast. They sat down in the living room. For Elias, they had a custom-made couch. It even had a built-in remote for the theater screen. A luxury they could afford through hard work.Rina sat with her knees tucked politely, blonde hair tied in a loose braid. Though she’d met anthros before, meeting Xolani Aldora was on another level entirely."Thank you for inviting me, Miss Aldora. I’ve been looking forward to this."She said, her voice steady despite her nerves.Xolani, seated like a mountain on the couch, gave a faint nod."And I appreciate you coming. My son’s told me a great deal about you."She turned her attention to Elias, her voice shifting."Son, my actions throughout your life may have seemed … the way I treated you … harshly. The many things in business we taught you, the way we sheltered you. I must tell you that I only wanted to keep you safe. Everything I did, and everything I will do, is to keep you safe. You could be trampled or eaten in the blink of an eye. I wanted you to choose someone who can protect you, big as me. So her mere presence would provide safety.""Mom, I-""I can demonstrate how much safety this girl can offer you."Elias and Rina both tensed."Wait, what do you mean by that?"The blonde girl asked."Let’s say you and Rina are alone. I’m far away and someone big as me comes."Elias felt his chest tighten the moment his mother’s fingers moved toward Rina. Xolani’s gaze locked on her. The room seemed to drop ten degrees. His blood ran cold. Rina blinked, clearly confused."Miss Aldora?"Two fingers descended, her thumb and index, and pinched the back of Rina’s shirt between their tips. The pressure was controlled, precise, yet to the nineteen-year-old human, it felt like being snagged by two steel beams wrapped in velvet. Rina let out a small yelp as she was lifted slightly off the couch. She reached behind her, trying in vain to loosen the pinch, but there was nothing she could have done. After lowering the tiny legs back onto the table, Xolani began to slowly drag the girl across it."Mom! Let her go!""I want you to free yourself, little girl."The Xolo’s voice was firm. Rina’s arms flailed."Wait! Stop! "The girl protested, but it was no use as she struggled. Meanwhile, Elias ran over and tried to pry his mother’s fingers open to free his girlfriend. There was nothing the humans could do."Mom! Let her go!"Elias shouted, reapeating his demand."She cannot protect herself. Which means, she cannot protect you."Xolani continued, dragging Rina like an ornament."Tell me, Elias. What happens when someone my size decides you two look tasty? Or a collector sees two of you, alone?""This test is not fair, Mom!""I want you to see the world for what it is, Elias. Not how you wish it to be. This is the scale you live at. It is cruel, and unforgiving."Rina let out a sharp gasp as the massive claws lifted her effortlessly into the air. The tiny human legs dangled, the tabletop falling away beneath her like a cliff vanishing into mist. She was held suspended, just inches from Xolani’s face, which filled her entire view.A massive muzzle loomed forward, nostrils flaring softly as Xolani exhaled. Warm breath washed over Rina in a wave. The humid air terrified her. She tried not to tremble, but it was impossible. One flick of those claws, and she’d be dead. Xolani’s eyes narrowed, scanning her as if studying a bug caught."I would never let anything happen to him!"Rina cried, struggling."But you can’t stop it. Intentions doesn’t matter when your bones are this fragile."Xolani said harshly. Rina whimpered, her lips parting, but no words came out. Xolani’s eyes flicked to her son, watching him on the edge."She cannot raise a hand on me. Not even convincing me to let her go. She cannot stop a toe from crushing you."The xolo said, holding Rina steady between two fingers. Rina continued."I... I wouldn’t let anything … hurt him.""You wouldn’t even know it’s coming."Xolani replied coolly, her breath brushing against Rina’s entire body like a tide."I want to believe in your conviction, girl. I do. But conviction isn't mass. It's not force. It doesn’t have physical weight."Xolani wasn’t happy about her.She wasn’t enough for her.Her point had been made.Elias could only watch, frozen, as the girl he loved squirmed between two claws.Her whole body just barely twice the length of a single claw."Mom, stop! I love her! Let her go!"Elias screamed, voice hoarse. His mother sighed and continued as if she was disappointed."You truly want her despite all the points I’ve made.""Yes! I want her! I want to live with her!"Elias stood firm on the table, fists clenched, breath ragged. Xolani stared at him, her expression unreadable. A long, brittle silence followed. The only sound was the whimper escaping Rina’s throat as she dangled in the air.Xolani blinked.She looked at her son. And for just a moment, she didn’t see a fragile speck at risk of being swallowed by the world. She saw a young man standing up for someone he cared about. Although his eyes were too small to look into them that far away, there was determination in his stance.Carefully, very carefully, she lowered Rina back onto the table where Elias was. The girl collapsed to her knees, gasping. Xolani took a long breath and turned to Elias."You … love her."Elias nodded, his voice cracking."Yes.""Even though she couldn’t fight back?""I don’t need someone to throw punches. I need someone who won’t give up on me, even when the entire world wants to crush us. She might not be as strong as you. I know what you wanted was… not someone like her. But I need her. It’s my choice."Elias said, stepping forward, his whole body trembling, but his words clear."You are a miracle, Elias. You’re a boy who survived. And I love you fiercely. Every lesson. Every barrier. Every 'no' I’ve ever given you … it’s because I wanted you to be strong."Xolani reached out, the edge of one claw softly resting beside him. Not threatening, not towering. Just there. Giving him support. Elias stepped forward and laid his hand gently on the edge of her claw. So small and fragile. And yet, it seemed to steady her."I don’t need her to be a shield. I just need her to stand beside me. Like you always have."Xolani’s eyes welled, just a touch. Almost imperceptible."Then, I’ll try."