Queen: Aiko, please have a seat.

Queen: I know the death of your father was very hard on you, you both were very close, maybe that's why you are living at the home he built for us, so that you can feel closer to him somehow. That home has so many cherished memories of weekends when we would escape the capitol and all of its responsibilities, and just spend time together in that beautiful place. And then when you came along, we would take you with us. Oh, how your father loved that place. Like you father, you were never longed for city life, he was always looking to get away. But the day he died, I lost both of you. It nearly tore me apart. It was your eighth birthday, and all you could think of is being free from me and this place.

For you the day was a dream come true, but for all mothers in this generation, waiting to know what color their eyes will become, is a time of great anxiety. Will they be blue and become a ruler, or red to govern, hell, I would have loved if they were gold as a servant. But on the day that you turned eight and your eyes became green, my heart broke. You were so happy to be a defender, but I knew in my heart that one day I would have to sacrifice you for the good of our people. Your father was always so sure that this day would never come, that this responsibility would fall upon some other parent's child, not ours. But I knew it would be you.

Queen: So, I waited all of these long years, because as you know when the time comes to select the two who will leave us, a vision will be given to the queen. Aiko I could hardly breathe when I saw your face. It’s a mother’s worst nightmare being told that their daughter will have to descend, but to see it was you in my vision, it was more than I could bare. Only one has returned, and she died without completing the task. I lost your father, sweetheart, I can't bear to lose you too.

Aiko: Oh mom, I'm so sorry. I never stopped to think how all of this has affected you. I was so angry after father passed away, I closed off everyone. But you lost him too, and in my anger, I couldn't see that, or what it meant to have a defender for a daughter. I know I try to be strong and independent, but mom I don't know how to do this. For the first time in my life I'm scared.

Queen: Oh honey, I'm scared too. I don't want to lose you.