Ruthivan sat on his knees, clutching Claire's body to his chest. He rocked and sobbed, then growled and cursed. He punched her dead body repeatedly, ignorant of all the eyes that watched him commit his desecration. His entire camp now stood around him, their circle excluding Mirin's form, until at last he let Claire roll from his arms onto the ground.
He was numb, he felt his soul severed. She was dead, truly dead, and he knew it because the bond he kept alive through his force was gone. For all that he tried to do to keep her, in the end, Claire had escaped him the only way she had. And he was the one that had set her free.
He got to his feet and stared at Mirin for a long moment, then looked to the healer. "Get that out of here. Put her outside the camp."
"Yes, Elder Ruthivan."
He looked to the faces that stared back at him with open shock and turned on his heel, leaving them behind. He had nothing to say as his heart was crushed beneath its own weight. The children rushed forward, but stopped at the look on his face, and Ruthivan's stared at them as alien and apart.
"Your mother is dead," he said, his voice steel and gravel. They cried, they wailed, and Ruthivan walked into the bedroom he shared with Claire, shutting them out and leaving them with the help. He sat on the edge of the bed and an agonizing howl sprung from his stomach, not stopping until he had expelled every last mote of air from his lungs. Then, Ruthivan broke down. His sobs were heard by every esper in the camp as they filed by the tent, and every one was a repentance for every wrong he had ever heaped upon Claire.
Showing posts with label Mirin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mirin. Show all posts
Last Exhale
Claire sent the boy for the wizard, and the old esper came, knowing what she wanted. 'Please,' Claire said, breathlessly. 'That's my daughter out there. I have to help, I have to stop this.'
'Kra'ineba...' the wizard stammered. 'If you don't help me, she'll die, and I want no more bloodshed!'
The old one nodded, and Claire felt the magic that held her in the tent release. She ran out to find a ferocious battle, one raging only because her daughter was part Celestial and able to keep herself sharp. But her mistake was coming outside, into Mirin's view.
Mirin raised her hand and Victoria shot a blast of energy into Mirin's side. Claire rushed forward into the fray just as Ruthivan slammed his massive paw down. Claire felt every bone in her body shiver, then crack. Pain flooded her body until she could no longer feel anything.
She lay on the ground, every short inhale sharp and stinging, until even that ceased. Claire's last moment, her last vision, was Ruthivan on his knees with his mouth moving but no sound. She tried to smile, but never knew if it ever showed on her face.
All was a blur as her spirit recoiled from her shell and crept down into Toril to rejoin with the heartbeat of the planet.
'Kra'ineba...' the wizard stammered. 'If you don't help me, she'll die, and I want no more bloodshed!'
The old one nodded, and Claire felt the magic that held her in the tent release. She ran out to find a ferocious battle, one raging only because her daughter was part Celestial and able to keep herself sharp. But her mistake was coming outside, into Mirin's view.
Mirin raised her hand and Victoria shot a blast of energy into Mirin's side. Claire rushed forward into the fray just as Ruthivan slammed his massive paw down. Claire felt every bone in her body shiver, then crack. Pain flooded her body until she could no longer feel anything.
She lay on the ground, every short inhale sharp and stinging, until even that ceased. Claire's last moment, her last vision, was Ruthivan on his knees with his mouth moving but no sound. She tried to smile, but never knew if it ever showed on her face.
All was a blur as her spirit recoiled from her shell and crept down into Toril to rejoin with the heartbeat of the planet.
Torrential Downpour
The fight was more than epic, and if it weren't for the magical barrier that separated the whole camp from the outside world, any watching would have seen the sparks of energy flying. Mirin deftly avoided the claws and fangs of the espers who had transformed into beasts, and avoided the myriad of spells sent crashing into her. Her eyes glowed with a ferocity as she pulled from the very fabric of the weave to defeat the man who had commandeered her mother.
Then, the unthinkable. From the inside of Ruthivan's tent came her mother, aided by an elderly esper who obviously had freed her. Mirin lifted her hand to stop her mother, and was blind sided by a blast to her chest. She slid on the ground as the transformed beasts surrounded her. She could hear Ruthivan's deep growling laughter, then a scream followed by the sound of bones cracking.
Mirin opened her eyes and her heart froze. Her mother lay beside her, a crumpled heap of robes, and Ruthivan - now himself again - dropped to his knees, howling for a healer. None of the others moved as Mirin pushed herself up, her head throbbing with a thunderous ache. She watched the healer rush forward, sweating, panting, weaving spells that did nothing.
"She... she's..." the old one babbled, and Ruthivan grabbed the man by his robes and snatched him to his face. "You'd better not say she's dead," Ruthivan howled in a broken voice.
"I'm... I'm sorry..."
"FIX HER!" Ruthivan shouted, then grabbed his chest. "No, no no no..."
Mirin exhaled and dropped onto the ground at exactly the same moment that Ruthivan felt his bond with Claire shatter into nothingness.
Then, the unthinkable. From the inside of Ruthivan's tent came her mother, aided by an elderly esper who obviously had freed her. Mirin lifted her hand to stop her mother, and was blind sided by a blast to her chest. She slid on the ground as the transformed beasts surrounded her. She could hear Ruthivan's deep growling laughter, then a scream followed by the sound of bones cracking.
Mirin opened her eyes and her heart froze. Her mother lay beside her, a crumpled heap of robes, and Ruthivan - now himself again - dropped to his knees, howling for a healer. None of the others moved as Mirin pushed herself up, her head throbbing with a thunderous ache. She watched the healer rush forward, sweating, panting, weaving spells that did nothing.
"She... she's..." the old one babbled, and Ruthivan grabbed the man by his robes and snatched him to his face. "You'd better not say she's dead," Ruthivan howled in a broken voice.
"I'm... I'm sorry..."
"FIX HER!" Ruthivan shouted, then grabbed his chest. "No, no no no..."
Mirin exhaled and dropped onto the ground at exactly the same moment that Ruthivan felt his bond with Claire shatter into nothingness.
Rush
The magic washed over her in waves of vibration that set her skin tingling. She stepped through to see a ring of tents, one slightly larger than the rest, a standard flapping in the wind above it. The few espers that walked about stopped and stared at her with an open skepticism, their looks bordering on hostile. "Who are you?" one finally shot, his skin a deep orange, his hair white flames.
'My name is Mirin, and Claire is my mother.'
The atmosphere settled into ice and the other espers narrowed their eyes. "The Kra'ineba has no other children but the four in her home and the one on the way."
'Kra... what?'
"Our Elder's mate."
'Oh... okay... right. Well, listen, she's in trouble and I've come to set things straight.'
"The Kra'ineba is in no danger."
'I assure you, she is.'
Before the orange esper could say more, a ruddy hand was lain upon his shoulder. Ruthivan walked to the fore, his eyebrows lifted in a glance of disdain. "Welcome, half-breed. How did you find our camp?"
Mirin's mouth pulled into a slight sneer. She walked forward and found herself looking up into Ruthivan's face. 'I got directions from your son. You do remember him, the one you slapped for trying to help his family?'
The crowd of espers bristled with sudden whispers and Ruthivan cocked his head to the side with a chuckle. "He is not my son."
'That must be convenient. You just drop any kids you don't like and get to pretend they don't exist.'
"It's been a nice chat, but it's time for you to leave."
'Not until I speak to my mother.'
"My mate is only permitted to speak to full blooded espers that are loyal to the cause of our people."
'Permitted?' Mirin telepathed with incredulity. 'Are you her father?'
"I killed him because he was a wayward soul. Careful that I don't do the world a service and remove you from it as well."
Mirin's eyes flashed as she smiled. Around her hands, crackling energy sizzled from the air and in her palms, white hot balls of magic formed. 'I see now what she said was true. She is not safe and I intend to fix that.'
Ruthivan grinned and transformed. Before Mirin now towered a red dog-like creature with large claws and fangs. He barked more than spoke. At his sides, other espers made their transformations, until Mirin was staring at three of the most twisted magical abominations she had ever seen. "Come, let us take out the garbage," Ruthivan barked.
'My name is Mirin, and Claire is my mother.'
The atmosphere settled into ice and the other espers narrowed their eyes. "The Kra'ineba has no other children but the four in her home and the one on the way."
'Kra... what?'
"Our Elder's mate."
'Oh... okay... right. Well, listen, she's in trouble and I've come to set things straight.'
"The Kra'ineba is in no danger."
'I assure you, she is.'
Before the orange esper could say more, a ruddy hand was lain upon his shoulder. Ruthivan walked to the fore, his eyebrows lifted in a glance of disdain. "Welcome, half-breed. How did you find our camp?"
Mirin's mouth pulled into a slight sneer. She walked forward and found herself looking up into Ruthivan's face. 'I got directions from your son. You do remember him, the one you slapped for trying to help his family?'
The crowd of espers bristled with sudden whispers and Ruthivan cocked his head to the side with a chuckle. "He is not my son."
'That must be convenient. You just drop any kids you don't like and get to pretend they don't exist.'
"It's been a nice chat, but it's time for you to leave."
'Not until I speak to my mother.'
"My mate is only permitted to speak to full blooded espers that are loyal to the cause of our people."
'Permitted?' Mirin telepathed with incredulity. 'Are you her father?'
"I killed him because he was a wayward soul. Careful that I don't do the world a service and remove you from it as well."
Mirin's eyes flashed as she smiled. Around her hands, crackling energy sizzled from the air and in her palms, white hot balls of magic formed. 'I see now what she said was true. She is not safe and I intend to fix that.'
Ruthivan grinned and transformed. Before Mirin now towered a red dog-like creature with large claws and fangs. He barked more than spoke. At his sides, other espers made their transformations, until Mirin was staring at three of the most twisted magical abominations she had ever seen. "Come, let us take out the garbage," Ruthivan barked.
Confronting Illusions
'So you have to sense it.'
"I guess."
Mirin sat across from Askari who stared down at the rug under his feet. She'd decided against going to Sanria and Gilean with the information on Claire. They didn't seem to be spending much time dwelling on her, and Mirin wasn't going to be the one to destroy that. It didn't anger her that they were happy and isolated from what was happening. Her mother, Claire, had made her choices and seemed to be paying the price... still...
'So when I get close-'
"I can help you get close, but I won't go in with you."
'Askari... you could help me a great deal.'
"No... I... can't."
'What happened to you?' Mirin telepathed with a sigh. "He turned into a chicken," Leandra snorted as she entered the room. She plopped down on the chair and smirked. "His racist sack of shit father slapped him across the face when he tried to stand up to him. He hasn't really been the same since."
Mirin turned her gaze on Askari. She narrowed the focus of her telepathy, speaking to her brother directly. 'Is what she says true?'
'Does it matter?'
'Of course it matters, Askari... did he strike you?'
"I know when I'm being excluded, I'll go make myself useful in this dump." Leandra got up and left the room, leaving Askari to make a long lingering sigh.
"Yes," Askari answered simply.
Mirin leaned over, taking her brother in her arms. Her response back was a stiff pat on her back as Askari pulled away. "I'll get you nearby, but I don't want to see him... ever."
'I understand.'
Thus it was that Mirin found herself on the edge of a wood, alone. She could sense the presence of the camp, the tingle of magic that only those with esper blood could decipher. She took a deep breath and stepped forward and through the camouflaged barrier.
"I guess."
Mirin sat across from Askari who stared down at the rug under his feet. She'd decided against going to Sanria and Gilean with the information on Claire. They didn't seem to be spending much time dwelling on her, and Mirin wasn't going to be the one to destroy that. It didn't anger her that they were happy and isolated from what was happening. Her mother, Claire, had made her choices and seemed to be paying the price... still...
'So when I get close-'
"I can help you get close, but I won't go in with you."
'Askari... you could help me a great deal.'
"No... I... can't."
'What happened to you?' Mirin telepathed with a sigh. "He turned into a chicken," Leandra snorted as she entered the room. She plopped down on the chair and smirked. "His racist sack of shit father slapped him across the face when he tried to stand up to him. He hasn't really been the same since."
Mirin turned her gaze on Askari. She narrowed the focus of her telepathy, speaking to her brother directly. 'Is what she says true?'
'Does it matter?'
'Of course it matters, Askari... did he strike you?'
"I know when I'm being excluded, I'll go make myself useful in this dump." Leandra got up and left the room, leaving Askari to make a long lingering sigh.
"Yes," Askari answered simply.
Mirin leaned over, taking her brother in her arms. Her response back was a stiff pat on her back as Askari pulled away. "I'll get you nearby, but I don't want to see him... ever."
'I understand.'
Thus it was that Mirin found herself on the edge of a wood, alone. She could sense the presence of the camp, the tingle of magic that only those with esper blood could decipher. She took a deep breath and stepped forward and through the camouflaged barrier.
Training the Kra'ineba
'Do you understand?' Claire's face throbbed from the blow. She lay in bed, in her father's bed, at Ruthivan's side. She had made the mistake of being unsuccessful. She tried to get Ruthivan to see that she was miserable, unhappy, that she didn't love him, that they had no rights to lead the tribe, that everything would be better if he let her leave and found himself a mate that loved him. For a fleeting glimpse of a moment, she thought she had him thinking... but the moment collapsed with a slap across her face. 'You are mine, Claire. You were promised to me, you have been mine for three hundred years. You are where you belong, and tomorrow you will act like it. Or you will be sorry. Do you understand?'
'Yes...' she whispered.
'Now, get your rest.'
Claire drifted off, hoping that Mirin was doing something to help her. Anything. This situation was growing unbearable. Claire felt guilt over her father's death, guilt laying in his bed, guilt that somehow everything was her fault.
She was awoken the following morning by a small boy who stared at her with white hair and a sky blue complexion. His voice was soft and halting, 'What would you like for breakfast, Kra'ineba Claire?'
'Wha... I'm... what are you doing here?'
Then reality suddenly shook Claire. Ruthivan had even brought on servants. It disgusted her. The boy rattled off choices for breakfast and repeated his question. 'Please,' Claire said, 'You don't have to call me that.'
'Yes I do.' The boy frowned and looked around himself. 'He said I did.'
'Who said?'
The boy's expression left no doubt. 'Is it true he killed Elder Eladrim?'
'I... yes. It is.'
'Do you love him?'
Claire looked at the boy, her mouth hanging open. She started to shake her head, then stopped herself. The night before, the threat, the understanding. She nodded her head. 'Yes, of course,' she lied. Her heart sank as the boy looked at her with incredulity and disgust.
He returned after a long while, struggling to keep the dishes from clattering together. He set them down and stood watching her. 'You don't have to wait.'
'I... do. He said for you to eat everything, you need your strength.'
Claire closed her eyes tightly. 'Please, Mirin,' she thought to herself. 'Please get me out of here.' Then Claire ate was the boy stood watching her to make sure every scrap was gone.
'Yes...' she whispered.
'Now, get your rest.'
Claire drifted off, hoping that Mirin was doing something to help her. Anything. This situation was growing unbearable. Claire felt guilt over her father's death, guilt laying in his bed, guilt that somehow everything was her fault.
She was awoken the following morning by a small boy who stared at her with white hair and a sky blue complexion. His voice was soft and halting, 'What would you like for breakfast, Kra'ineba Claire?'
'Wha... I'm... what are you doing here?'
Then reality suddenly shook Claire. Ruthivan had even brought on servants. It disgusted her. The boy rattled off choices for breakfast and repeated his question. 'Please,' Claire said, 'You don't have to call me that.'
'Yes I do.' The boy frowned and looked around himself. 'He said I did.'
'Who said?'
The boy's expression left no doubt. 'Is it true he killed Elder Eladrim?'
'I... yes. It is.'
'Do you love him?'
Claire looked at the boy, her mouth hanging open. She started to shake her head, then stopped herself. The night before, the threat, the understanding. She nodded her head. 'Yes, of course,' she lied. Her heart sank as the boy looked at her with incredulity and disgust.
He returned after a long while, struggling to keep the dishes from clattering together. He set them down and stood watching her. 'You don't have to wait.'
'I... do. He said for you to eat everything, you need your strength.'
Claire closed her eyes tightly. 'Please, Mirin,' she thought to herself. 'Please get me out of here.' Then Claire ate was the boy stood watching her to make sure every scrap was gone.
Knowing Claire
Mirin sat by the stream watching the twins play. It was clear that Reggie was going to be extremely adept with magic, as the boy kept summoning globes of water into the air to try dropping them on his sister's head. Regina, too, was adept, but in the ways like her father, Orn. She dodged the water, barely keeping her balance and using the quick aid of a squirrel to race over and nibble Reggie's arm. They would both giggle and return to their play. They were growing so fast.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. What would her mother think if she could see them now? Mirin didn't assume much - her mother, Claire, had been gone for a long time now. Sanria was more of a mother to her than Claire. Though, it didn't mean she couldn't try to reach out.
'Mother,' Mirin telepathed, but got back only static. Perplexed, she tried again. 'Mother?' This time the telepath went through and a very surprised voice responded.
'Mirin? Oh Gods, I can telepath... I can reach out!'
'Mom, what are you talking about?' Mirin sent, dropping the formal mother. Something wasn't right.
'You have to talk to Gilean and Sanria, you have to tell them that Ruthivan killed my father and is in the process of moving to the Tribal camp. I need help... I desperately need help. He's lost his mind.'
'What?'
'I can't focus for long or he'll know, he has an eye on me right now. He has lashed out at me, killed your grandfather, and ... oh please, Mirin... get someone to help us. Please.'
'Of... of course,' Mirin telepathed in return. She was shocked at just how desperate her mother sounded, and even more so that this man who had stolen Claire from her father had stooped to murder.
'You know how to find the camp?'
'No... '
'Ask Askari... he can help... I hope he'll help... Gods I hope he will help. I'm ready to take my own life but he's sealed up my magic.'
'No... no mom, don't do that. I'll get help, I promise, just... hang in there.'
'Thank you, Mirin... thank you.'
The connection was broken and Mirin stared blankly ahead. How exactly did one go about stopping an esper from beating an esper?
'Twins,' she telepathed. 'We need to go inside. I have to talk to Grandma Ria and Grandpa Gilean.'
"Is bad?" Regina asked.
'No, no it's okay.'
"Why are you sad, Mama?" Reggie asked.
'I'm... not sad,' Mirin replied, but couldn't shake the tremor of anxiety that gripped her.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. What would her mother think if she could see them now? Mirin didn't assume much - her mother, Claire, had been gone for a long time now. Sanria was more of a mother to her than Claire. Though, it didn't mean she couldn't try to reach out.
'Mother,' Mirin telepathed, but got back only static. Perplexed, she tried again. 'Mother?' This time the telepath went through and a very surprised voice responded.
'Mirin? Oh Gods, I can telepath... I can reach out!'
'Mom, what are you talking about?' Mirin sent, dropping the formal mother. Something wasn't right.
'You have to talk to Gilean and Sanria, you have to tell them that Ruthivan killed my father and is in the process of moving to the Tribal camp. I need help... I desperately need help. He's lost his mind.'
'What?'
'I can't focus for long or he'll know, he has an eye on me right now. He has lashed out at me, killed your grandfather, and ... oh please, Mirin... get someone to help us. Please.'
'Of... of course,' Mirin telepathed in return. She was shocked at just how desperate her mother sounded, and even more so that this man who had stolen Claire from her father had stooped to murder.
'You know how to find the camp?'
'No... '
'Ask Askari... he can help... I hope he'll help... Gods I hope he will help. I'm ready to take my own life but he's sealed up my magic.'
'No... no mom, don't do that. I'll get help, I promise, just... hang in there.'
'Thank you, Mirin... thank you.'
The connection was broken and Mirin stared blankly ahead. How exactly did one go about stopping an esper from beating an esper?
'Twins,' she telepathed. 'We need to go inside. I have to talk to Grandma Ria and Grandpa Gilean.'
"Is bad?" Regina asked.
'No, no it's okay.'
"Why are you sad, Mama?" Reggie asked.
'I'm... not sad,' Mirin replied, but couldn't shake the tremor of anxiety that gripped her.
Discoveries in Seas of Emotion ( 2 of 2)
The plans were made to leave the next day. Gilean hadn't wanted Sanria to go with the chance she'd run into Ruthivan, and she had obliged, but changed her mind when Orn chose to come along. She watched Orn go back up the stairs to pack a bag of his own, and left Gilean and Sandorin to return her pack to the bedroom. She heard a soft shuffle and turned to see Matinus standing in the doorway.
"Hello dear one," she said with a smile. "Something you needed?" She looked at the boy's face and frowned ever so slightly. There was something wrong. "What is it?" she said with a voice of concern.
"My dad is guilty."
"Wh.. what? What do you mean?" She sat on the bed and patted the space beside her. "Come in, sit." Matinus entered and sat looking at his lap. "I don't know what he did,
but he's been feeling guilty about it."
"Well I'm sure it's nothing."
The boy looked up at her and Sanria could see fear and pain written on his features. "I don't want him to mess up and make us leave and make you leave us. I don't want to lose you as my mom."
"Matinus..." Sanria reached over, putting her arm around his shoulders. "I promise you, no matter what this is, I won't go anywhere. You're my son now and everyone here is your family." "It's just that my Dad and Colin are angry with each other a lot, and now my dad did something wrong and feels guilty. Like when you're trying not to get in trouble, and I don't know why."
"Well, it's your dad. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing as bad as it seems."
"You promise you won't go anywhere or make us leave?"
"Oh, Matinus. I won't go anywhere. And you're staying right here for as long as it takes til you grow up and leave on your own."
"What if I don't want to go when I get older?"
Sanria chuckled and kissed Matinus on the top of the head. She felt a deep connection to the boy, as though he were a miniature Orn all over again. She squeezed him lightly. "Then you can live here just like Orn and Mirin. Now, stop being worried and go play."
She watched the lopsided and shy smile come onto Matinus's face and he walked out. Then, and only then, did Sanria's smile fade. Guilty for what?
"Hello dear one," she said with a smile. "Something you needed?" She looked at the boy's face and frowned ever so slightly. There was something wrong. "What is it?" she said with a voice of concern.
"My dad is guilty."
"Wh.. what? What do you mean?" She sat on the bed and patted the space beside her. "Come in, sit." Matinus entered and sat looking at his lap. "I don't know what he did,
but he's been feeling guilty about it."
"Well I'm sure it's nothing."
The boy looked up at her and Sanria could see fear and pain written on his features. "I don't want him to mess up and make us leave and make you leave us. I don't want to lose you as my mom."
"Matinus..." Sanria reached over, putting her arm around his shoulders. "I promise you, no matter what this is, I won't go anywhere. You're my son now and everyone here is your family." "It's just that my Dad and Colin are angry with each other a lot, and now my dad did something wrong and feels guilty. Like when you're trying not to get in trouble, and I don't know why."
"Well, it's your dad. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing as bad as it seems."
"You promise you won't go anywhere or make us leave?"
"Oh, Matinus. I won't go anywhere. And you're staying right here for as long as it takes til you grow up and leave on your own."
"What if I don't want to go when I get older?"
Sanria chuckled and kissed Matinus on the top of the head. She felt a deep connection to the boy, as though he were a miniature Orn all over again. She squeezed him lightly. "Then you can live here just like Orn and Mirin. Now, stop being worried and go play."
She watched the lopsided and shy smile come onto Matinus's face and he walked out. Then, and only then, did Sanria's smile fade. Guilty for what?
Conealing Tensions
This was to be her sixth child and Sanria had lost count in how many pregnancies. Gilean had chosen the name, Sandorin, which Sanria felt perfect. Her brother had been long dead now. He would have been delighted to have a little one named for him. She wondered what he'd think of all this.
They had sped up nature's processes as well, making her pregnancy go much faster than normal. Unlike the times when she'd slept with Thasmudyan, however, this time was thanks to Gilean's magic.
It was a strange day in that Sanria had the cavern to herself. Orn was at the castle, Mirin was off with the bubbly and excited twins, Colin had taken Nioma out to play, and Gilean was off with Matinus - bonding. She had been through having children before, so the sensation was not new. She felt the contractions and her water break, and knew she had a little time before things grew intense. She didn't want the family rushing back with worry. She reached out to Enmach.
A mere hour later, she was looking into the eyes of her son. He, too, seemed to take her in before falling asleep. He had only cried for a moment - the indignity of being nude - before going utterly calm. Enmach left congratulations in her wake, and Sanria was left with her son only moments before everyone came back.
Though happiness seemed to be the prevailing sentiment, Sanria could see the sorrow of Colin's face that she'd be spending more time with Gilean and Sandorin, and the hurt on Gilean's face that she hadn't called him to tend the birth. Then - something on both of their faces, buried under their joys and kindnesses - worry.
They had sped up nature's processes as well, making her pregnancy go much faster than normal. Unlike the times when she'd slept with Thasmudyan, however, this time was thanks to Gilean's magic.
It was a strange day in that Sanria had the cavern to herself. Orn was at the castle, Mirin was off with the bubbly and excited twins, Colin had taken Nioma out to play, and Gilean was off with Matinus - bonding. She had been through having children before, so the sensation was not new. She felt the contractions and her water break, and knew she had a little time before things grew intense. She didn't want the family rushing back with worry. She reached out to Enmach.
A mere hour later, she was looking into the eyes of her son. He, too, seemed to take her in before falling asleep. He had only cried for a moment - the indignity of being nude - before going utterly calm. Enmach left congratulations in her wake, and Sanria was left with her son only moments before everyone came back.
Though happiness seemed to be the prevailing sentiment, Sanria could see the sorrow of Colin's face that she'd be spending more time with Gilean and Sandorin, and the hurt on Gilean's face that she hadn't called him to tend the birth. Then - something on both of their faces, buried under their joys and kindnesses - worry.
Sandorin
Matinus looked down at the little sleeping baby and scrunched up his face and tilted his head. Babies weren't exactly his favorites - Reggie and Regina were a little bit different because they were his niece and nephew - but Sandorin, this was his half-brother. He could feel a strange calm from the little baby in front of him, like he was a lot older than he was really.
Sandorin opened his eyes just a bit and looked up at Matinus. It was freaky. He looked down to see Nioma come in and lean her face against the bars of the crib. "He's little, huh?" she asked.
"Yeah, he'll get bigger though."
"Will we be able to play with him?"
Matinus shrugged. "Probably you will, but I don't know if
I'm going to play with him."
"Why not?" Nioma squeezed her face into the bars and danced about on one leg as she looked at her half-brother.
"I'm older than you are."
"So? Mister Bunny is older than me too, and he still plays with me."
"Mister Bunny is a rabbit, not a boy."
"Mister Bunny is a mister."
Matinus smirked and left the baby behind, walking through Sandorin's bedroom, through Nioma's, and back to his own. He could tell his dad was really excited about the little baby - his baby with Sanria - which made him a little sad. He didn't seem to love him or Nioma as much as he already loved Sandorin. He could feel his dad worrying, too, like jealously worrying.
Matinus had already talked to Colin about being so afraid he made Sanria tired, but there was something a little wrong and he couldn't really figure it out. Colin felt afraid and said he thought he was going to lose Sanria to his dad, his dad felt jealous and worried, and Sanria - he just felt this weird confusion. Then, Nioma, always excitable and strange with how she could see stuff that wasn't visible. Just the other day she said Sanria's belly was sparkling. Then Sandorin... the weirdest calm baby Matinus had ever seen.
He walked upstairs and went to Orn and Mirin, but they were busy with Reggie and Regina. They were busy with them a lot. He walked outside and sat by the stream. There was a strange uneasiness that was floating around. Something too weighty for a twelve-year-old boy to worry about.
Sandorin opened his eyes just a bit and looked up at Matinus. It was freaky. He looked down to see Nioma come in and lean her face against the bars of the crib. "He's little, huh?" she asked.
"Yeah, he'll get bigger though."
"Will we be able to play with him?"
Matinus shrugged. "Probably you will, but I don't know if
I'm going to play with him."
"Why not?" Nioma squeezed her face into the bars and danced about on one leg as she looked at her half-brother.
"I'm older than you are."
"So? Mister Bunny is older than me too, and he still plays with me."
"Mister Bunny is a rabbit, not a boy."
"Mister Bunny is a mister."
Matinus smirked and left the baby behind, walking through Sandorin's bedroom, through Nioma's, and back to his own. He could tell his dad was really excited about the little baby - his baby with Sanria - which made him a little sad. He didn't seem to love him or Nioma as much as he already loved Sandorin. He could feel his dad worrying, too, like jealously worrying.
Matinus had already talked to Colin about being so afraid he made Sanria tired, but there was something a little wrong and he couldn't really figure it out. Colin felt afraid and said he thought he was going to lose Sanria to his dad, his dad felt jealous and worried, and Sanria - he just felt this weird confusion. Then, Nioma, always excitable and strange with how she could see stuff that wasn't visible. Just the other day she said Sanria's belly was sparkling. Then Sandorin... the weirdest calm baby Matinus had ever seen.
He walked upstairs and went to Orn and Mirin, but they were busy with Reggie and Regina. They were busy with them a lot. He walked outside and sat by the stream. There was a strange uneasiness that was floating around. Something too weighty for a twelve-year-old boy to worry about.
Subservient, Obediant, Broken
Claire had seen Gilean exactly twice. The first time, he seemed lost, lonely in some strange way. That first time he questioned her about her relationship with Ruthivan. She'd been guarded. It was none of his business that her husband was controlling and obsessed. The second time she came after mirin told her about the three-way marriage. She came to look at his face because she couldn't fathom him being happy. He was defensive. This time, it was none of her business that he wanted Sanria all to himself but couldn't manage to fight off Colin. Exactly twice. And Ruthivan had been watching.
She came home after her second visit to Gilean and stayed out of sight. She quietly took stock of her life: four children with Ruthivan, a torn out uterus for birth control (Ruthivan felt it their sole duty to repopulate the entire realms to help the esper population rebound), a marriage she loathed, a bond to which she was a slave. She kept memories of Gilean close at hand- happy he'd found happiness, sad it wasn't with her. She pulled herself out of the thought. That time had long passed.
At last, she crept into the bedroom and slipped into bed - hoping Ruthivan had gone to sleep- but the speed with which he turned to face her let Claire know he'd been waiting. His eyes were dark rubies glittering hard. His face was pinched with anger and his voice, even his breath, trembled in rage. 'Where were you today?'
There was no love here. Before, he'd tried at least to teach her to love him. He let her decide on her own whether to stay or go. A very magnanimous gesture... only the already had a bond that linked them and children who needed them. She'd stayed. Slowly, though, his old self had returned. She belonged to him- property. She hadn't noticed how bad things were until they were so far gone she was beyond hope or help. She was neck deep in quicksand and still sinking. Now? She looked at the contorted face and as dispassionately as you please, lied. 'I went to see Mirin and Matinus.'
She came home after her second visit to Gilean and stayed out of sight. She quietly took stock of her life: four children with Ruthivan, a torn out uterus for birth control (Ruthivan felt it their sole duty to repopulate the entire realms to help the esper population rebound), a marriage she loathed, a bond to which she was a slave. She kept memories of Gilean close at hand- happy he'd found happiness, sad it wasn't with her. She pulled herself out of the thought. That time had long passed.
At last, she crept into the bedroom and slipped into bed - hoping Ruthivan had gone to sleep- but the speed with which he turned to face her let Claire know he'd been waiting. His eyes were dark rubies glittering hard. His face was pinched with anger and his voice, even his breath, trembled in rage. 'Where were you today?'
There was no love here. Before, he'd tried at least to teach her to love him. He let her decide on her own whether to stay or go. A very magnanimous gesture... only the already had a bond that linked them and children who needed them. She'd stayed. Slowly, though, his old self had returned. She belonged to him- property. She hadn't noticed how bad things were until they were so far gone she was beyond hope or help. She was neck deep in quicksand and still sinking. Now? She looked at the contorted face and as dispassionately as you please, lied. 'I went to see Mirin and Matinus.'
Settling into Understanding
Understandably, the tension in the cavern was thick in the air. Sanria knew things wouldn't be perfect and had anticipated much of the jealousy and slight rankling which pervaded the couple's... no... triple's home. She knew within only a few days that the frustration level was on it's way to terminal, and so she called a meeting. The three of them sat at the kitchen table - she and Colin on one side, Gilean on the other.
It had been rather quickly decided that neither man wanted the affection to stop, but couldn't seem to handle seeing the other the object of that affection. As the ironed out that wrinkle, Orn, in search of milk, came into the kitchen. Sanria's heart sank at the avoidance, Orn deftly kept his eyes averted, back turned. "Orn, do we make you uncomfortable?" she asked.
"It's just... weird," he replied. And weird it was. How was this to ever work if her own son couldn't handle it?
Sanria stared down at the table, barely noting Orn coming to her side.
"Oh Mom, hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."
"You are honest... that is a positive thing."
"No, I mean, I know things have been tough for you... for all of you. I'm happy you guys are happy, you know. Really, that's all I want, is to see you happy, Mom." The words were a light salve to the wound.
"Thank you, Orn." And she was rewarded with an embrace.
"I love you Mom, I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry about being honest, Orn. What feelings I feel because of it are my own."
Orn left and as though a spell had been cast, Colin relented. They made arrangements that were impossible only moments before - working out the arrival of the new baby with ease. Even when Gilean admitted his lack of prior parenting, Colin looked on him with understanding and compassion. Mirin arrived and in short order made apologies to her father for her own unkindnesses. Sanria would never have expected such a turning point in the midst of what started as potential tinderbox.
The final point, the spot where Sanria knew they were going to be okay, was when Colin rose, and left the room to let her talk to Gilean alone. They hadn't wanted one another alone with her since the Eosos side moved in. And now... Sanria's heart warmed. Certainly, things would still be difficult from time to time... but progress had come faster than she had anticipated, and everyone was settling into understanding.
It had been rather quickly decided that neither man wanted the affection to stop, but couldn't seem to handle seeing the other the object of that affection. As the ironed out that wrinkle, Orn, in search of milk, came into the kitchen. Sanria's heart sank at the avoidance, Orn deftly kept his eyes averted, back turned. "Orn, do we make you uncomfortable?" she asked.
"It's just... weird," he replied. And weird it was. How was this to ever work if her own son couldn't handle it?
Sanria stared down at the table, barely noting Orn coming to her side.
"Oh Mom, hey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean..."
"You are honest... that is a positive thing."
"No, I mean, I know things have been tough for you... for all of you. I'm happy you guys are happy, you know. Really, that's all I want, is to see you happy, Mom." The words were a light salve to the wound.
"Thank you, Orn." And she was rewarded with an embrace.
"I love you Mom, I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry about being honest, Orn. What feelings I feel because of it are my own."
Orn left and as though a spell had been cast, Colin relented. They made arrangements that were impossible only moments before - working out the arrival of the new baby with ease. Even when Gilean admitted his lack of prior parenting, Colin looked on him with understanding and compassion. Mirin arrived and in short order made apologies to her father for her own unkindnesses. Sanria would never have expected such a turning point in the midst of what started as potential tinderbox.
The final point, the spot where Sanria knew they were going to be okay, was when Colin rose, and left the room to let her talk to Gilean alone. They hadn't wanted one another alone with her since the Eosos side moved in. And now... Sanria's heart warmed. Certainly, things would still be difficult from time to time... but progress had come faster than she had anticipated, and everyone was settling into understanding.
Weird but Cool
Matinus sat in his room and looked over his books. He had to decide which ones to take, which ones would fit into his suitcase and still leave room for clothes. Not that he had many anyway. He was excited anyway and not because his family was moving to the place where Orn lived, but because he could see, for the first time on his parents face, that they really loved each other.
It was weird for him, feeling things other people felt. He didn't know he could do it, he didn't know why, but the longer he sat with someone, if he looked at them, he could feel some of what they felt. Today, while Sanria and Gilean sat in front of him, telling him that they were going to be halfway married to Colin (a fact that made him ask Gilean if he was marrying Colin - an emphatic no there - whew), all of a sudden, they weren't nervous anymore. All of a sudden, they were in love... like, really in love.
He watched them look at each other and smile and hold hands and felt it like a piece of fabric on his skin- whisper thin and light, then wrapping around him warmly. They said they loved each other before. He knew they kinda meant it, but this was different. Matinus didn't know what changed, or even why, but this time it was real.
He paused in his packing to sigh as Nioma came into his room for the seventeenth time to say they were moving. 'I know, Nioma. Go pack.' It was a little tiring, feeling her crazy energy each time she came tornadoing into his room. She left and Matinus could think again, and his smile came back unbidden. He didn't know what it would mean to have a dad, a kinda dad, Orn as his real big brother right there for him to talk to any time he wanted, Mirin there whenever he wanted to be around her, to be an uncle, to be an adventurer in the woods, by a water fall, by a stream, in a cavern... but he did know that his family was going to be together... and that was the best part of the whole thing.
It was weird for him, feeling things other people felt. He didn't know he could do it, he didn't know why, but the longer he sat with someone, if he looked at them, he could feel some of what they felt. Today, while Sanria and Gilean sat in front of him, telling him that they were going to be halfway married to Colin (a fact that made him ask Gilean if he was marrying Colin - an emphatic no there - whew), all of a sudden, they weren't nervous anymore. All of a sudden, they were in love... like, really in love.
He watched them look at each other and smile and hold hands and felt it like a piece of fabric on his skin- whisper thin and light, then wrapping around him warmly. They said they loved each other before. He knew they kinda meant it, but this was different. Matinus didn't know what changed, or even why, but this time it was real.
He paused in his packing to sigh as Nioma came into his room for the seventeenth time to say they were moving. 'I know, Nioma. Go pack.' It was a little tiring, feeling her crazy energy each time she came tornadoing into his room. She left and Matinus could think again, and his smile came back unbidden. He didn't know what it would mean to have a dad, a kinda dad, Orn as his real big brother right there for him to talk to any time he wanted, Mirin there whenever he wanted to be around her, to be an uncle, to be an adventurer in the woods, by a water fall, by a stream, in a cavern... but he did know that his family was going to be together... and that was the best part of the whole thing.
All the Pretty Poly's in a Row (1/2)
Never. That was the answer to Sanria's question: Did you ever expect this to happen? She had gone with Gilean as he stormed through the Grove, down the roads, and to the cavern; pleading the whole way that he stop and work with her to determine a better way. Instead, he veritably dragged her along, repeating the same refrain, "No, this has to stop. I will make him stop."
They stood there, Orn and Mirin both looking too worried to leave them to their own devices, and only reluctantly doing so. And it was as she had anticipated - Gilean and Colin standing toe to toe - the gladiator and the priest. "Sanria's not leaving Colin and you need to stop this immediately!"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. You can't bully Sanria into leaving. She is my wife, we have a family, we have a child."
It was already spiraling, and Sanria had been around Colin long enough to know what the tensing jaw meant. She also had been around Gilean for enough time to understand what the flash of anger in his eyes meant.
"Please," she said. "None of us need to do this... there has to be an- other answer than... this."
"Exactly, Sanria. Gilean just needs to accept your decision and leave this house."
"She's only making that decision because you have forced her into it by not leaving her alone. Now you WILL leave her alone. Do you hear me?"
"Is that so," Colin said, tilting his head. "...or what?"
Sanria's stomach lurched. She had to do something, and quickly. There was no way to tell whether or not Gilean would win by magic, hurting or killing Colin, or Colin would win by beating Gilean with physical strength alone. How things had come to this point, she didn't quite understand, but here they were, and she had to do something.
She stepped between the two of them and asked each what he could do if she chose them. Neither of the bullheaded men was prepared to let go. "Fine. Then I choose both of you," she said simply, and walked to the side to stare at both of the dumbfounded men. She didn't mean it, not really, but the expressions on both of their faces let her know that she had succeeded where her pleading had not. "We can all move in here, together. There's plenty of room in the cavern. I will divide my time evenly between the two of you. Saturday, or Sunday if you prefer, I will alternate."
She pulled her bluff with righteousness and every tone of a leader and businessperson. She held her head high as she spoke the words, even while her heart was racing. "You can't be serious..." Colin said. "In this way, we will have peace and harmony and everyone will have what they want."
They stood there, Orn and Mirin both looking too worried to leave them to their own devices, and only reluctantly doing so. And it was as she had anticipated - Gilean and Colin standing toe to toe - the gladiator and the priest. "Sanria's not leaving Colin and you need to stop this immediately!"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. You can't bully Sanria into leaving. She is my wife, we have a family, we have a child."
It was already spiraling, and Sanria had been around Colin long enough to know what the tensing jaw meant. She also had been around Gilean for enough time to understand what the flash of anger in his eyes meant.
"Please," she said. "None of us need to do this... there has to be an- other answer than... this."
"Exactly, Sanria. Gilean just needs to accept your decision and leave this house."
"She's only making that decision because you have forced her into it by not leaving her alone. Now you WILL leave her alone. Do you hear me?"
"Is that so," Colin said, tilting his head. "...or what?"
Sanria's stomach lurched. She had to do something, and quickly. There was no way to tell whether or not Gilean would win by magic, hurting or killing Colin, or Colin would win by beating Gilean with physical strength alone. How things had come to this point, she didn't quite understand, but here they were, and she had to do something.
She stepped between the two of them and asked each what he could do if she chose them. Neither of the bullheaded men was prepared to let go. "Fine. Then I choose both of you," she said simply, and walked to the side to stare at both of the dumbfounded men. She didn't mean it, not really, but the expressions on both of their faces let her know that she had succeeded where her pleading had not. "We can all move in here, together. There's plenty of room in the cavern. I will divide my time evenly between the two of you. Saturday, or Sunday if you prefer, I will alternate."
She pulled her bluff with righteousness and every tone of a leader and businessperson. She held her head high as she spoke the words, even while her heart was racing. "You can't be serious..." Colin said. "In this way, we will have peace and harmony and everyone will have what they want."
Family
Matinus read in the library. He was aware that he was on edge. His mom had suddenly left to go to the castle, saying there was someone there she had to meet. And like that, she was gone. His dad was downstairs, like there was something wrong with him, too.
Matinus sighed deeply. He could see that ever since the family trip, his dad and his mom weren't looking at eachother the same. He tried to keep Nioma entertained, tried to stay out of the way, but he could really feel that something was wrong. They said they loved each other, but he could see on their faces it wasn't love. It was... like.
Still, he held on to the hope that they were going to work it out. Adults worked things out. Then he heardthe woman talking to him, Claire. He knew her voice because his whole body seemed to cry out with joy for a second that his real mom had come home. Then he sat there, frozen. He didn't need his "real" mom, he had a mom. Sanria.
Then his dad called him and he knew he couldn't disobey. He trailed down the steps slow and looked over at the purple lady who stared at him. She tried to be nice and all that, but it scared him. His dad looked at her the way he should be looking at Sanria. It made him mad then. No way was this mom going to take Sanria away from him.
When he tried to run out the front door, his dad sent him to his room with magic. He still snuck out anyway and listened at the top of the stairs to the two of them talking. He never once heard his dad say he loved Sanria. He seemed to care more about Claire. This was wrong, all wrong.
After Claire left, and Matinus was worried she wouldn't, he went downstairs. There was no way he would leaveSanria - if his dad wanted to be with Claire, fine, but Sanria was his mom now. She was a Keeper, she worked in a floating castle full of dragons and silver people, Orn was teaching him adventure stuff when he saw him, and Nioma was his little sister - even if she did get annoying sometimes.
Matinus had his family, and that was the end of it. He remembered the days his dad ignored him completely. He remembered days where he was dirty and Mirin had to tell him to take a bath. He remembered how, when Sanria first came, she asked him if his dad brushed his hair... then she took care of him. If his dad wanted to go back to that... he was going to go alone.
He saw his Dad's face and eyes and could tell his dad was a little scared of what he said. It made him feel a little bad, but he had to tell the truth. The truth was that Sanria loved him, and he could feel it and see it. More than he saw from his dad. He only hoped that some time, sometime soon, Sanria and his dad could look at eachother and feel love. Maybe if he prayed to Lathander really hard... something just might change.
Matinus sighed deeply. He could see that ever since the family trip, his dad and his mom weren't looking at eachother the same. He tried to keep Nioma entertained, tried to stay out of the way, but he could really feel that something was wrong. They said they loved each other, but he could see on their faces it wasn't love. It was... like.
Still, he held on to the hope that they were going to work it out. Adults worked things out. Then he heardthe woman talking to him, Claire. He knew her voice because his whole body seemed to cry out with joy for a second that his real mom had come home. Then he sat there, frozen. He didn't need his "real" mom, he had a mom. Sanria.
Then his dad called him and he knew he couldn't disobey. He trailed down the steps slow and looked over at the purple lady who stared at him. She tried to be nice and all that, but it scared him. His dad looked at her the way he should be looking at Sanria. It made him mad then. No way was this mom going to take Sanria away from him.
When he tried to run out the front door, his dad sent him to his room with magic. He still snuck out anyway and listened at the top of the stairs to the two of them talking. He never once heard his dad say he loved Sanria. He seemed to care more about Claire. This was wrong, all wrong.
After Claire left, and Matinus was worried she wouldn't, he went downstairs. There was no way he would leaveSanria - if his dad wanted to be with Claire, fine, but Sanria was his mom now. She was a Keeper, she worked in a floating castle full of dragons and silver people, Orn was teaching him adventure stuff when he saw him, and Nioma was his little sister - even if she did get annoying sometimes.
Matinus had his family, and that was the end of it. He remembered the days his dad ignored him completely. He remembered days where he was dirty and Mirin had to tell him to take a bath. He remembered how, when Sanria first came, she asked him if his dad brushed his hair... then she took care of him. If his dad wanted to go back to that... he was going to go alone.
He saw his Dad's face and eyes and could tell his dad was a little scared of what he said. It made him feel a little bad, but he had to tell the truth. The truth was that Sanria loved him, and he could feel it and see it. More than he saw from his dad. He only hoped that some time, sometime soon, Sanria and his dad could look at eachother and feel love. Maybe if he prayed to Lathander really hard... something just might change.
I Just Want to Make Things Right (3/3)
It wouldn't have been received well even under the best of circumstances. Mirin knew this. It still needed to be said, and she was convinced of her right to speak it. She'd practically raised Matinus while her father lost himself in the temple, pining after her mother. Mirin didn't believe he could have fallen so deeply in love with Sanria, not to the point that he wasn't willing to do the right thing... but to her shock, her father wasn't letting go. She begged her dad to put Sanria and Colin in a room together, just to watch them, but he refused. "No Mirin. I don't need to put them together. I'm not forcing Sanria to be with me. She's here because she wants to be, and I want her."
The words took her by surprise. She had grown accustomed to her father, Gilean, being a bit on the weak side. He sacrificed his own happiness and family for everyone else. But he wasn't budging. 'I think you're a good person to everyone else,' she telepathed. 'You help women with their babies, help heal those in need... I think that's what you're the best at doing. I think... not that it matters... that you and Sanria are wrong, Dad. Once, maybe... but not now.'
There was nothing more to say that wasn't met with severe resistance. Her dad thought she was saying the words out of resentment for his absence in her life. He kept apologizing, not that it wasn't nice to hear it, but her point was lost. She returned finally to the cavern and told Colin of her discussion - but even he seemed cowed by the act.
Orn had been right. This was something they would have to sort out on their own. No matter how messed up she thought it was, or how wrong. She picked up both Reggie and Regina and smiled down at them, combing their minds to discover they were both ravenously hungry. She shook her head and set to work tending her family.
The words took her by surprise. She had grown accustomed to her father, Gilean, being a bit on the weak side. He sacrificed his own happiness and family for everyone else. But he wasn't budging. 'I think you're a good person to everyone else,' she telepathed. 'You help women with their babies, help heal those in need... I think that's what you're the best at doing. I think... not that it matters... that you and Sanria are wrong, Dad. Once, maybe... but not now.'
There was nothing more to say that wasn't met with severe resistance. Her dad thought she was saying the words out of resentment for his absence in her life. He kept apologizing, not that it wasn't nice to hear it, but her point was lost. She returned finally to the cavern and told Colin of her discussion - but even he seemed cowed by the act.
Orn had been right. This was something they would have to sort out on their own. No matter how messed up she thought it was, or how wrong. She picked up both Reggie and Regina and smiled down at them, combing their minds to discover they were both ravenously hungry. She shook her head and set to work tending her family.
I Just Want to Make Things Right (2/3)
Mirin felt her father's uneasiness at the sight of her. She gave an inward chuckle, Gilean never was good at hiding his emotions. He insisted on refreshing her, and though she didn't feel any need for it, she allowed her father to lay on hands to heal up every bit of ache and wear on her soul. She was grateful - the statement she'd come to make was certain to wear her down. "Tell me, what is it Mirin."
'Dad... it's about Sanria and you... and Colin,' she telepathed.
"Me, Sanria, and Colin?"
'I know you and Sanria got married and you're together but... I don't... I don't think it's the way it's supposed to be.'
"You don't think it's the way it's supposed to be?"
'She's supposed to be with Colin, Dad.' And pain came onto her father's face.
She couldn't meet his eyes, knowing that she was crossing a line that wasn't hers to cross, but she conjured up the image of Mr. Stone pacing and lost. "How do you determine this?" Gilean interrupted.
'You're good at being alone, Dad... and... you haven't been much of a Dad. Colin... he isn't good at being alone. Even though he's got me and Orn and the babies...'
"Look, Mirin... I know I've had some tough times. I'm so sorry for that. I'm doing everything I can to be a better father... and grandfather. How... how do you figure I'm better at being alone then him?"
'You've done it and... you have a place to go and something to do with your time. You go lose yourself in healing people. You have a way to be alone and not be alone... Colin... doesn't.'
Gilean stared at his lap and Mirin felt more guilty than ever before. She did love her father, she did care. But the idea that he was behind the tear down of the Stones was too much. She'd grown up knowing Orn's mother and father. They were together, always.
'This was supposed to be how they got back together, Dad... He went away to get fixed and now he's fixed...'
"I'm sorry if I've been a bad father to you Mirin... so sorry. I don't mean to have hurt you. But if you think I should be punished because of that..."
'Punished? No... no it's not a punishment, Dad. It's making things right.'
"Making things right? Mirin, things finally are right for me. Velentham's gone, Sanria's back, Matinus and Nioma have a whole family, and Sanria and I are going to have a baby."
'... then... fix it Dad... let her go where she belongs. Colin's a great dad... he would be great taking care of the kids. Even Matinus.'
"Mirin, it's not Sanria and Colin anymore. Sanria is my wife. She had chosen to be with me. I'm sorry if Colin is missing something, but what you're suggesting... I would be missing everything. Even my own son."
'Dad... it's about Sanria and you... and Colin,' she telepathed.
"Me, Sanria, and Colin?"
'I know you and Sanria got married and you're together but... I don't... I don't think it's the way it's supposed to be.'
"You don't think it's the way it's supposed to be?"
'She's supposed to be with Colin, Dad.' And pain came onto her father's face.
She couldn't meet his eyes, knowing that she was crossing a line that wasn't hers to cross, but she conjured up the image of Mr. Stone pacing and lost. "How do you determine this?" Gilean interrupted.
'You're good at being alone, Dad... and... you haven't been much of a Dad. Colin... he isn't good at being alone. Even though he's got me and Orn and the babies...'
"Look, Mirin... I know I've had some tough times. I'm so sorry for that. I'm doing everything I can to be a better father... and grandfather. How... how do you figure I'm better at being alone then him?"
'You've done it and... you have a place to go and something to do with your time. You go lose yourself in healing people. You have a way to be alone and not be alone... Colin... doesn't.'
Gilean stared at his lap and Mirin felt more guilty than ever before. She did love her father, she did care. But the idea that he was behind the tear down of the Stones was too much. She'd grown up knowing Orn's mother and father. They were together, always.
'This was supposed to be how they got back together, Dad... He went away to get fixed and now he's fixed...'
"I'm sorry if I've been a bad father to you Mirin... so sorry. I don't mean to have hurt you. But if you think I should be punished because of that..."
'Punished? No... no it's not a punishment, Dad. It's making things right.'
"Making things right? Mirin, things finally are right for me. Velentham's gone, Sanria's back, Matinus and Nioma have a whole family, and Sanria and I are going to have a baby."
'... then... fix it Dad... let her go where she belongs. Colin's a great dad... he would be great taking care of the kids. Even Matinus.'
"Mirin, it's not Sanria and Colin anymore. Sanria is my wife. She had chosen to be with me. I'm sorry if Colin is missing something, but what you're suggesting... I would be missing everything. Even my own son."
I Just Want to Make Things Right (1/3)
Mirin and Orn had moved in with Colin - forever Mr. Stone to Mirin. It was a little strange being back at the cavern, now her home, and dealing with two infants that were utterly dependent on her. She fit in with the routine better than many her age simply because she could communicate with her children already. She went into Reggie's mind to soothe him with vivid images of bears, and went into Regina's mind in turn with images of butterflies. They, in turn, sent images back to their mother - their needs and desires. It wore her out to be in constant contact, but no one could ever say she wasn't a vigilant, attentive mom.
Then there was the issue of Colin, Mr. Stone. He adored the babies, even if he was concerned about their size. He busied himself with their care when Mirin needed a rest, and even when she didn't, when he came around the babies sent out images of a large smiling face and the sensation of complete immersion and protection. But when the infants were sleeping and the cavern was quiet, Mirin could sense the restlessness in Mr. Stone's heart. She'd grown up seeing Mr. Stone and Mrs. Stone together, Colin and Sanria. The guilt she felt was the fact that it was her father that was driving a wedge.
Now, after a bit of time, Mr. Stone seemed even more agitated and tense. He paced more without realizing it. His jaw was more set, and the eyes that watched the babies were more distant. Mirin chose at that point to talk to her father.
Then there was the issue of Colin, Mr. Stone. He adored the babies, even if he was concerned about their size. He busied himself with their care when Mirin needed a rest, and even when she didn't, when he came around the babies sent out images of a large smiling face and the sensation of complete immersion and protection. But when the infants were sleeping and the cavern was quiet, Mirin could sense the restlessness in Mr. Stone's heart. She'd grown up seeing Mr. Stone and Mrs. Stone together, Colin and Sanria. The guilt she felt was the fact that it was her father that was driving a wedge.
Now, after a bit of time, Mr. Stone seemed even more agitated and tense. He paced more without realizing it. His jaw was more set, and the eyes that watched the babies were more distant. Mirin chose at that point to talk to her father.
Uterus B-GONE!
Claire was tired and it showed. Her flames had not flared to life in a long time now, not that anyone cared or noticed. She kept holed in the tent with her children; Celiara, who was now quite rambunctious and the apple of her father's eye; Saren, a tiny ball of temper; and Desmaren, a quiet child who seemed to only wish no one would see him at all.
It surprised her to see Askari when he showed up, and further shocked her to see Leandra with him, and still drove her into confusion to see their boy Heiyu. They needed a place to live. Claire's stomach turned. Ruthivan would not be pleased.
Though she had chosen to stay with him of her own will, Claire never felt free. Ruthivan dictated so much of her life - from what robes she chose to wear, what time she could take a walk, what foods she ought to feed the children. She didn't even know how Matinus was doing, she wasn't permitted to visit. The last time Mirin had contacted her, Claire found Ruthivan glaring at her, having intercepted every word. Reluctantly, she had closed communications. She couldn't go far enough to escape any detection. Ruthivan kept his eye on her constantly.
The only thing Claire had managed successfully was to get rid of her womb. Ruthivan had gone to her father, Eladrim, to once again plead their case for acceptance back into the group. It was her one chance, and she took it. Ruthivan could not figure out why she was no longer getting pregnant, and knowing that he would "look," Claire had even put a mock uterus in place. No matter what he wanted, she would not continue to be an esper factory.
Claire let Askari and Leandra set up a tent behind her own and set herself to deal with Ruthivan's ire. Not only was she not getting pregnant, but now they would have their son living with his non-esper wife and "half-breed" child. Ruthivan walked into the room and Claire cleared her throat.
It surprised her to see Askari when he showed up, and further shocked her to see Leandra with him, and still drove her into confusion to see their boy Heiyu. They needed a place to live. Claire's stomach turned. Ruthivan would not be pleased.
Though she had chosen to stay with him of her own will, Claire never felt free. Ruthivan dictated so much of her life - from what robes she chose to wear, what time she could take a walk, what foods she ought to feed the children. She didn't even know how Matinus was doing, she wasn't permitted to visit. The last time Mirin had contacted her, Claire found Ruthivan glaring at her, having intercepted every word. Reluctantly, she had closed communications. She couldn't go far enough to escape any detection. Ruthivan kept his eye on her constantly.
The only thing Claire had managed successfully was to get rid of her womb. Ruthivan had gone to her father, Eladrim, to once again plead their case for acceptance back into the group. It was her one chance, and she took it. Ruthivan could not figure out why she was no longer getting pregnant, and knowing that he would "look," Claire had even put a mock uterus in place. No matter what he wanted, she would not continue to be an esper factory.
Claire let Askari and Leandra set up a tent behind her own and set herself to deal with Ruthivan's ire. Not only was she not getting pregnant, but now they would have their son living with his non-esper wife and "half-breed" child. Ruthivan walked into the room and Claire cleared her throat.
Tiny Infants, Looming Saddness
Sanria and Gilean walked to the cavern. They could have used magic, but in truth, the walk was sorely needed. He had talked her into going to visit the babies at the cavern where Orn and Mirin had filled the void left behind by Leandra's exodus. They strolled through the woods, hand in hand, Sanria sneaking tiny glances over at the silvery-haired young man. Even with all the stresses that had been heaped upon him, he still looked young. She had noticed the same could no longer be said for her. She was entirely dependent upon Kaliadra for her life and it was clear that the elf had very slowly aged. It was reflected in Sanria's tiny little lines. Gilean assured her the magic woven by Velentham would fade and when it did, she'd once again be on track for a date with death in the future. A blessed relief that she'd welcome... but for now...
They arrived to be greeted by Colin with an infant in each arm. They were tiny, but beautiful, with a shock of purplish hair on their heads. As soon as Sanria and Gilean walked in, Sanria could feel the slow rise of tension. Colin had eyes only for her, and she knew the message he was trying to telepath - she'd seen it many times before. Seeing her was torture for him and each time they'd connect their eyes, she'd feel the undying devotion, the bittersweet longing for their life together that, now, they'd never have. She was shocked to feel the same sensation tugging at her chest. Colin seemed to reserve his smiles only for her, and stayed at her side, near enough that she could feel the warmth rolling from him.
If she could have, Sanria would have closed her eyes and drifted into the large arms. This had been their dream, to have him well so they could finally be together like they were so long ago, but it was cruel how life played the final card. As though he could sense it, Gilean came near, handing Regina back to Colin, with the announcement that they had to return to their own family. Matinus... Nioma... the cottage... yes. That was her home now... not this place, not this man. Sanria could not keep herself from looking back until the door had closed behind them.
That night she admitted her feelings to Gilean, who seemed to take them in like a dry pill. She did love him, she did choose him, she would try her best... all words she'd spoken before. She felt the bitter resentment rise in her and all she wanted was to go out to spit once more on the grave of Velentham. Instead, Gilean settled her, made love to her, and once he slept, she crept from the bed, down the stairs and to the mound outside. "I hate you," she whispered. "You ruined my life." And Sanria began digging to claw at the corpse with her bare hands.
They arrived to be greeted by Colin with an infant in each arm. They were tiny, but beautiful, with a shock of purplish hair on their heads. As soon as Sanria and Gilean walked in, Sanria could feel the slow rise of tension. Colin had eyes only for her, and she knew the message he was trying to telepath - she'd seen it many times before. Seeing her was torture for him and each time they'd connect their eyes, she'd feel the undying devotion, the bittersweet longing for their life together that, now, they'd never have. She was shocked to feel the same sensation tugging at her chest. Colin seemed to reserve his smiles only for her, and stayed at her side, near enough that she could feel the warmth rolling from him.
If she could have, Sanria would have closed her eyes and drifted into the large arms. This had been their dream, to have him well so they could finally be together like they were so long ago, but it was cruel how life played the final card. As though he could sense it, Gilean came near, handing Regina back to Colin, with the announcement that they had to return to their own family. Matinus... Nioma... the cottage... yes. That was her home now... not this place, not this man. Sanria could not keep herself from looking back until the door had closed behind them.
That night she admitted her feelings to Gilean, who seemed to take them in like a dry pill. She did love him, she did choose him, she would try her best... all words she'd spoken before. She felt the bitter resentment rise in her and all she wanted was to go out to spit once more on the grave of Velentham. Instead, Gilean settled her, made love to her, and once he slept, she crept from the bed, down the stairs and to the mound outside. "I hate you," she whispered. "You ruined my life." And Sanria began digging to claw at the corpse with her bare hands.
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