Well, she'd broke it as best she could.  And the Matron...better than she thought she'd be.  Hopes and dreams completely crushed, at least regarding her House and her daughter, but she was still holding it together.  Doxi didn't say anything, but she did hold her, and couldn't help but smirk briefly as she brought up the 'evil act' of kidnapping them.  The gold was the purpose, but strangely enough she cared about this woman, and it sucked seeing the strong-willed woman so downtrodden and defeated...<br/><br/>"Hey... remember earlier I said to think like a leader, not a mother?" she said, smiling softly as she held the older woman "Do it the other way now, think like a mother.  Yes, the House may be no more, yes, no 'upstanding' noblewoman would ever take her to be her wife, but when i talked to her before the 'fiasco' that accrued during the ship... she seemed<em>happy</em>with what was going on.  Talking with her, I thinks she was happier with her shame than she was before she was cursed.  it may not be what you and your late husband wanted for her, but isn't that what any mother wants for her daughter, for her to be happy?  Maybe this is a way for that to happen... and I think i might have a solution..."<br/><br/>She then gestured outward, to the temple around them...<br/><br/>"What if she were to come here?  The temple of Shoni is the temple of a goddess of sex; no man, woman, or anything in between here would consider her flawed for her desires.  We don't see shame in being a 'slut' or a 'whore,' insatiable is not a bad term here, and we certainly would understand why she was 'that way.'  She could become a great and powerful priestess, for our sexual desire is where we draw our power, and her desire from now on will be quite impressive indeed.  She would be accepted, able to be herself... maybe she could be happy here, and that's the best thing you could want as a mother, couldn't it?"<br/><br/>She paused then, smiling down as she held her, and rubbed her arm to soothe her a bit.<br/><br/>"It's just an idea, and I could be wrong, but my mother - you've met her already, for she carried your daughter here in my haversack - said that's what every mother truly wants for their daughter: their happiness." she said, softly "But if you really want to know what to do... talk to Vera, ask her what she wants to do, what would make her happy.  Ask her if she'd like to stay here even, maybe she'll like it.  But... yeah, that's what I'd say to do, talk to her and work out what would be the best for her to live a long, happy life..."