Sveyko struggled a lot with her emotional control as a child and often had apparent mood swings where she'd become incredibly violent or fearful for reasons others couldn't understand. She herself couldn't understand it most of the time and being so young it was difficult for her to articulate what was wrong.
Her twin sister S'veyk did not seem to suffer from these issues, causing Sveyko feelings of deep inadequacy. Like she was stupid, a failure, no-good. She often thought to herself that if she weren't born and it was just S'veyk, everyone would be happier.
The above illustration is a moment that happens after Sveyko attempts to run away. While bringing her back home, Sveyko starts fighting back against Sek and ends up striking him. Fearful and guilty, she immediately begins to cry and Sek wordlessly carries her home.
At home, just outside the door, Sek tells her she shouldn't hit people and she apologizes. She won't look at him, trying to hide her face because she's still crying and thinks she'll be scolded for it. She worries that the only adult who's ever been kind to her...this is it. This is the moment where she's tried his patience for the last time. She wants to be better but doesn't know how and she's done it, this is the end. He's going to be angry with her. He's going to abandon her.
Sek calls her name and she reluctantly looks up at him, apologizing again.
But there's no anger in her father's face as he sinks down to one knee, looking her in the eye. "Sveykokam," he says, staring at her earnestly. "If it were possible for me to love anyone, it would be you."
It's a moment Sveyko thinks of often and never tells anyone else. Even as an adult. She'll think of it until her dying day. "If it were possible for me to love anyone, it would be you."
