Vati's bedtime story, plus more quotes

V: "This one's old- I don't even remember who told it to me first. It's kind of sad, though."
(All nod for her to continue)
"There once was a girl named... Latari-anyu. She wwas the daughter of a prosperous family and tradition dictated thatshe was to become a lady of the court. But this was not the life she wanted. Her parents were kind and loving and agreed to let her become whatever she wanted.'I will live the life of a peasant,' Latari-anyu told her parents. 'For they are humble and kind and content with their positions.'
Her parents showed no objection to this, but insisted she stay with them until she found an aspect of peasant life she was particularly suited for. So Latari-anyu fashioned her hair in the braid of the peasants and set out to find her calling.
She tried serving in the guard, but the swords felt unbalanced in her hand. She tried work as a seamstress, but her stitches were uneven. She even tried the life of a swineherd, which she rather enjoyed, but she frightened the pigs, and even that option was taken from her. Eventually she found herself performing with a troupe of minstrels, returning to her parents' home each night because she was not suited for the life of a musician, either.
One day, when Latari-anyu returned from work, her parents had news. Latari-anyu was weary- her troupe had encountered resistance that day- but she listened patiently.
'Kahitu-nohar, a neighboring nobleman, is coming to visit,' they told her. 'He wished to have thine hand in marriage.'
Latari-anyu was disgusted, for Kahitu-nohar's reputation travelled before him. He was cruel and ruthless, and always got his way. But she was not concerned. 'I will live fully as a peasant,' she said, 'and Kahitu-nohar will never see me. Everything will be fine.'
So Latari-anyu's parents paid a peasant family to take her in, and she became a peasant in truth.
A few days into her exile, Latari-anyu was at the market to fetch a bolt of cloth when she met a peasant boy.He was very handsome, and smiled at her in a way that drove her heart wild. He introduced himself as Ohanu-sita.
Latari-anyu was instantly in love. This love blinded her to the truth- that the peasant boy was Kahitu-nohar, there to take her away.
Time passed. Latari-anyu became very attachedto her peasant boy, and in time told him the truth of her identity. He claimed to love her even more for it. They decided they wished to marry, and went to ask Latari-anyu's parents for permission.
'I have found what I am good at,' she told them. 'I am good at loving Ohanu-sita, and would like to wed him.'
Her parents saw through Kahitu-nohar's disguise, but did not wish to face his wrath by revealing him. Instead they simply denied their daughter's request. The young couple stormed out, tears streaming down Latari-anyu's face.
On the way back to her peasant home, Kahitu-nohar made a suggestion. He told Latari-anyu they could run away, and wed in secret. But he was but a lowly peasant, and had no money to pay a minister or support a wife. Couldn't she steal a few things from her house, to start them off?
Because she was tired and in love, Latari-anyu said yes. So the next night, she took some jewelry from her house, and soon the couple were happily married.
Latari-anyu and her peasant boy lived in wedded bliss for some time, and she was utterly happy. But she woke up one morning, and Kahitu-nohr was gone, along with the jewelry.
At first Latari-anyu was confused, but it didn't take her long to realize what had happened, and she was filled with rage.That he would take advantage of her like that was unthinkable! And now she found herself carrying his child!
Latari-anyu drifted from village to village, unable to return home for fear of her parents wrath. Life was hard, and she found herself hating Kahitu-nohar.
Then the time came for the birth of her child, and as Latari-anyu stared into the face of her gorgeous... daughter, she realized she had been right all along. She was good at loving. And she would love this child until the last.
Years passed. Latari-anyu's daughter grew up beautiful and kind like her mother. They built a simple life for themselves.
Then Latari-anyu's daughter came brightly in the door one night, Kahitu-nohar in tow. She spoke of their love for each other, and begged for her to consent to their marriage.
Latari-anyu would not make the same mistake as her parents. 'No,' she said firmly. 'This is thine father, and he is a wicked and deceitful man. Thou willn't relive my nightmres.'
Kahitu-nohar sneered. 'I should have known she was thine. Thy knowest too much, now thou both must die..'
With that, he drew his sword and slit both their throats.
Latari-anyu died content, satisfied that she had overcome the failure he had set her up for. His power did not hold her." 842 words

MC: "His name is X D C... X something. Don't call him Lord Paper Hamstrings." 14 words

H: "It may just be me, but... Wasn't he bigger yesterday?"
V: "Maybe. I'm gonna have trouble keeping him dressed." 18 words