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 Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 11:23 am
Ethiriel's expression softened at Vesna's revelation and she reached her hand forward against the table, offering it to the Frei to take. "All is well, don't fret," she said softly. "I should have mentioned it. Oh, I just realized I forgot to answer one of your questions -- my soul is a tea plant.
"I do wonder: would I be able to map out your 'real' face, or would that be warped for me, as well?" the Sigel mused aloud.
Laughing, she nodded. It was rare for Henry to watch anything other than the news (even though he totally would have been pegged as a cartoon kind of guy), so most references to TV shows or video games were beyond Ethiriel's reach. "That sounds like a wonderful premise. I would love to watch with you someday."
Turning her attention to Nicolina, Ethiriel nodded again. "Silver is the only thing I can see. I used to be able to sort of see things if they were close enough, but now it's strictly silver. It is interesting that you would say that, however; I came from a non-sentient being, so I have never considered this as a second life for myself." With other Raevans, like Vesna and Lorin, Ethiriel wondered if they could possibly remember their 'first' lives. Even the Sigel only knew so much about their species.
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 6:58 pm
"That's so cool!" Vesna gushed. "So, like, can you read the future in tea leaves?? Oh my gosh!! That's so cool!" Pressing forward though Ethiriel had not actually answered her question positively or negatively, she added, "And you're blind, so you're, like, the Sybil or something!" The only books at Lorenzo's house which had interested her for the first few weeks of her life had been mythology books, having had the best pictures, and the fewest explanations about proper handling of cadavers. "My friend Eden is a nymph like in Greek mythology, and she's like, so pretty. Oh! And even if you can't see her, she smells like flowers all the time."
She grinned as Ethiriel talked about mapping out her face. "I dunno, how do you do that?" she asked. "It sounds kind of cool. Maybe if you could make a map of my face, I'd know what I looked like better."
Nicolina smiled indulgently at her granddaughter, and reminded, "You need to let Ethiriel answer your questions, Vesna. Listening is important." She watched her fidgety granddaughter attempt to settle down and continued, "Your experience with rebirth is quite valuable regardless, Ethiriel. Necromancers cannot resurrect nonsentient organisms, let alone transplant their lives into a human vessel. Nevertheless, those who necromantic magic can help all have different outlooks on their second lives. It's interesting to hear the perspective of someone whose soul is a living thing that people seldom think of as alive in the same respect that humans are."
"I should get something silver," Vesna interjected, eager to steer the conversation away from necromancy again. "Do you think they make silver phone charms?"
"That would be quite an extravagance," Nicolina remarked, "But perhaps we can find some suitable silver accessory for you today." Vesna had not done anything in particular to earn a present, but Nicolina was not about to pass up the opportunity to spoil a child she was not in charge of dealing with.
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Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:30 pm
With a laugh, Ethiriel waved her hand off at Vesna politely. "I do plan on learning to, but I'll have to learn a bit differently than most others would," she said, easing her chin to rest on her wrist. A lot of what the new Frei was mentioning went right over the Sigel's head, but she smiled politely and nodded all the same -- for now, anyway.
"Another new Raevan?" Ethiriel asked, her brows raising. It was no surprise; more and more were coming out each day -- it almost felt like Ethiriel would never meet them all. "That sounds absolutely wonderful. I cannot wait to meet her."
Lifting her chin and lowering her hands back on the table, palm flat, Ethiriel tapped her fingers once. "I use my fingers to explore your features. Basically, all I need is permission from you rather than intrude on your personal space." Again, she offered a dazzling smile. "It seems like it might be a better route than sight, from your description. Maybe you can learn your true face."
When Nicolina spoke again, Ethiriel turned her attention politely and smiled. Nodding, she spoke, "I see. That does sound rather amazing when you put it that way. It's not a common thought for me -- and possibly the other non-sentient souled Raevans. I don't remember anything prior to my first day out of the tank."
"I doubt that they would, Vesna, but I can make you one if you would like," Ethiriel said calmly, her voice low and smooth. "But necklaces and rings do just the same for me. It gives me an idea of where you are."
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Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 11:55 pm
"You should read mine when you learn!"
"Vesna," warned Nicolina.
"You should read mine when you learn, please," Vesna corrected diligently. "Unless I have to drink the tea for it to work, then I guess I'll have to work harder at growing up fast." She flexed her arms theatrically.
She lit up when Ethiriel mentioned meeting Eden. "You should meet her!!" she enthused. "You guys are both, like, plant-y, and mythology...-y.... and pretty, and you would so totally be friends! I'll text her, like, right now." She looked up at Ethiriel once she was finished and said, "Done."
She hesitated when Ethiriel revealed that face mapping involved touching her face. She felt better about how she looked than she had been before she chose a name for herself, but her skin was still cold, damp, and clammy. "Oh, uh, well... if it's helpful? But... Can you wear gloves, or do you have to touch it directly?"
"Me too!" she interrupted when Ethiriel mentioned her memories to Nicolina. "I mean, I used to be a person, I guess, but I don't remember anything from before, either."
"Still, that's common for undead humans, too." Nicolina reminded. "Your grandfather didn't remember anything for a long time when he was resurrected, either. But," she added, a tad smugly, "He remembered he was madly in love with me first."
Vesna sighed. "I'd be okay with remembering some kind of miracle romance, I guess. It looks pretty cool in anime." She realized something and steepled her fingers, leaning over to Ethiriel and asking, "You're, like, already half grown up, right? Have you... been on a date??"
"You can make silver?" she exclaimed as Ethiriel offered to make her something. "You and Cesc got all the fancy powers."
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 10:23 am
Ethiriel let out a dainty laugh at Vesna's urging, her smile easily reaching her eyes. "It's quite alright, Nicola. I would love to, so it's a promise." Nodding, the Sigel kept her attention on the young Frei. "It should take me some time to learn as I don't quite understand shapes--" she said, softly waving a hand in front of her face, "so you have plenty of time to grow. You do need to drink the tea, yourself, in order for the predictions to be correct."
At Vesna's clamming up, Ethiriel leaned back in her seat just a tad. Offering a sympathetic smile, after a moment of silence on her part she leaned back forward, her elbows resting on the table and her chin on the knuckles of her hands. "If it is not something you are comfortable with, you are allowed to say 'no.' I'm afraid wearing gloves would mute out the feeling for my fingers and I wouldn't get a proper read." She closed her eyes and exhaled softly, smile never leaving or faltering on her features.
"It seems to me like death can be a fascinating thing. I'm glad to hear that he remembered his special one despite everything." She said, her eyes looking vaguely in Nicola's direction. Vesna's next onslaught of questions made them turn to her, instead.
Finally, Ethiriel's expression faltered. "Well..." she finally sputtered, a light, flustered laugh on her voice. "I would not call them dates, per se. Rhede and I have gone to many operas and shows together -- as friends." In truth, even though he had turned her down, the Sigel still held a deep infatuation for the stag. Just thinking about it hurt a little, but she was glad they were still friends and continued to spend time together. "I do not know if that is in the cards for me.
"I cannot make silver, necessarily," Ethiriel responded, her smile returning. "I can use the silver within me to create things, and I can take silver away from others -- but I cannot actually make it."
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 10:38 am
"Maybe later, then," Vesna mumbled, looking askance. She was plenty peppy around every stranger, but letting them feel her face was something totally different, especially considering how gross her face felt in the first place.
She eagerly seized on the change of topic. "Oh! Everyone has someone just for them! I learned that from anime, too. I notice that a lot of side characters don't actually end up with anybody, though, but all the pretty people usually do, and you're definitely pretty enough to be a main character!" Having thus outlined the cutthroat world of anime romance, Vesna said, "So you've been seeing Cesc, huh? Operas and shows sound pret-ty romantic to me. I mean, who goes to an opera just to hang out?"
"Presumably opera aficionados," Nicolina interrupted. "If every opera date was a date date I would be married to some of my business partners."
Vesna pouted. "But I've never talked to anyone about their fated romance yet! I haven't even had a crush on anybody yet. Well, nobody who wasn't an anime character." She perked up. "Hey, if you want to practice finding true love, I could lend you some of my otome games! You could lend me some silver and when you're done with the game and I can pay you back, we can swapsies." She hesitated for a moment and said, "Although I guess you're more like a novel heroine than an anime heroine. You're all delicate and you talk like a princess, so you're more like... Elizabeth Bennet? It could be fun to play Pride and Prejudice, too! Then we could all speak in accents and say things like rather and act scandalized all the time." She gestured at the table. "We already have the fancy tea set out, even."
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 10:52 am
In response, Ethiriel hummed a laugh but otherwise let that topic drop -- she could sense that Vesna was quite uncomfortable with the idea.
There was a drop in the Sigel's expression -- subtle, but noticeable if you paid attention. The corner of Ethiriel's mouth did raise at Vesna's compliment and another gentle laugh escaped her lips. Before she could offer thanks, however, the Frei had switched back to Cesc and her expression faltered again.
She was definitely thankful for Nicola's interjection.
"Rhede... well. It is true that I harbor feelings for him, I can no longer deny, but..." Ethiriel trailed off, fixing her expression again -- despite it being a little pained. "He has already... well, turned me down. He holds affection for another."
Leaning in with interest again, Ethiriel raised a brow in amusement. She... had absolutely no idea what an 'otome' game was. At all. "I quite liked Pride and Prejudice. I thank you for the comparison to Elizabeth," she chuckled. Vesna was quite the character, for sure. "You would not have to offer me games -- they are... difficult for me to play. I would not mind lending you some silver, though. I do have plenty of it."
When you buy antique and tarnished silver in bulk for food, it's hard to exactly run out of clean silver afterwards.
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 11:11 am
"He does??" Vesna asked before remembering the conversation was about Ethiriel's love life. "I mean, I see." She stroked her chin dramatically. "From what I know that means he's probably just your unsuccessful nice-guy childhood crush that the real protagonist will come to sweep you away from in, like, a chapter. That's in anime terms, though. In Pride and Prejudice terms he's a horrible con artist who led you on and who we should all shun before he elopes with your little sister." She put her hands where her nonexistent hips would be. "Well, it's very harsh, but I'm willing to shun Cesc in a withering British accent if I have to."
Nicolina mulled it over. "Well, as long as you make sure to stay on good terms with Ms. Maplethorpe, I don't object to you having a little fun shunning men, Vesna. But I hope you won't get carried away."
"I'll use a very briskly professional approach," assured Vesna.
"Pride and Prejudice is great! Grandma and I are reading all of Jane Austen's books. Some of them are really boring, even with miracle romance, though." She shook her head and said, "Games are great! We'll find a way to help you play otome games if you want, even if I have to sit there with you and explain everything. Grandma says I have a flair for the dramatic, so I will probably be a natural at it."
"That's very generous of you," Nicolina said in regards to Ethiriel's offer. "But can we at least treat you to something?" She glanced at the menu, pulling out her wallet.
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 11:22 am
Vesna's initial wording caused Ethiriel to wince but she attempted and, mostly successfully, kept her smile. When the Frei corrected herself and tried to elaborate, her expression softened a bit easier. "There is no need to shun Rhede," she said with a laugh, "I made my peace when we discussed it. We are still close friends. I just do not know if there's a possibility for that with anyone quite yet."
She didn't really have romantic feelings for any of her other friends, to be quite honest. There was Zul... and she was rather fascinated with him, admittedly. Their visits were so rare, so few and far between, but... maybe if he were to come around more often, Ethiriel would enjoy that, she supposed.
"Jane Austen is a wonderful author. I can see how you would think that, though." Even when a young Frei, Ethiriel had preferred the more seriously themed novels and books when it came to entertainment. Unfortunately, reading and audiobooks didn't come into play until later on in life, after she had begun living with Henry, but she couldn't imagine enjoying her free time in any other way now. "Is Pride and Prejudice your favorite?"
Ethiriel perked at Nicola's offer, hearing the woman shuffle for her wallet. She hadn't eaten much, just some light fruit and hot water, but admittedly she wasn't sure about letting someone she just met pay for her meal -- regardless of a common factor. "I appreciate the offer, but I do believe I have to decline. Perhaps next time? I would love to meet with you, again. I can bring silver, as well." Turning to face Nicola this time, the Sigel flashed a smile.
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 11:35 pm
"Well, you're still young," Nicolina chuckled. "It's a little soon to say that sort of thing isn't even in the cards unless you've decided you don't want it to be."
"But if you need me to shun Cesc witheringly and British...ingly, you just let me know." Vesna insisted.
She considered Ethiriel's question. "I like that one... And Emma so far. But Pride and Prejudice is more dramatic! And shorter." She put her hand on her chest and said, "Even if we're not shunning Cesc, we should still play Pride and Prejudice sometime." Lifting up her grandma's teacup, she said, "It sounds so terribly entertaining, after all," in her most nasally and well bred drawl.
"That sounds wonderful," Nicolina agreed, putting her wallet away.
"Maybe Eden can come next time!" Vesna said. "Although I don't know if teatime and Pride and Prejudice is her thing."
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2016 11:48 pm
Smiling, Ethiriel nodded. "I know. I'm sure I'll eventually find my someone. It... hurt when he turned me down, but I've come to understand and accept it. It's just how it is." With Vesna's ideals, though not knowing what she'd do or say if she mentioned it, the Sigel kept her thoughts on Zul silent for now. She didn't want to jump the gun on anything, especially after with Cesc, and she needed more time to get to know the Baphomet.
Who knew what the future held.
"I will certainly let you know," she chuckled, finding her water to dip her fingers in -- it had long cooled but was not yet cold. Now, if looked at closely, there was a green tint to it. "Maybe he would even be amused by it."
The Sigel nodded, smile still in place at Vesna's musings. "That is also a good one, but I can see how you'd enjoy Pride more. I would be delighted to play with you, sometime." Ethiriel wasn't quite sure she had a favorite just yet. More often than not she enjoyed fantasy, but things like Pride and Prejudice were definitely appreciated. Anything intelligent, more accurately.
"That sounds wonderful. Even if she doesn't enjoy such a thing, I'm sure there's something we could do together."
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Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2016 2:47 pm
"Yep," Vesna said encouragingly, having only had experience with video game boyfriends. She considered and added, "My soul is like kind of someone who was turned down so bad that she killed herself or something, so you're probably doing better than I did." She shrugged. "Not that I can remember, but the books say you don't turn into a rusalka unless you are seriously bad at dating." Pursing her lips, she said, "I don't tell that to everybody, but since you said it felt bad, hopefully that cheers you up a little. But it's a secret! I don't want people to think I'm some kind of sad sack or anything."
Nicolina waved a hand. "Dating is difficult when you start out, but the more you put yourself out there, the stronger you'll be for it. I didn't meet my husband until I was already a working professional, and you girls are just a few years old put together." She took a sip of her tea. "I'm a bit of a matchmaker myself, so it's a shame Lorenzo's not interested in those kinds of things. But he managed to find me a granddaughter of sorts, so I'm willing to let him off the hook." She smiled and darkly added, "For now."
"Having a mom might be cool," Vesna said thoughtfully. "Although I don't know what kind of lady would be into Dad's, uh, lifestyle." She paused, reviewing her circle of friends in her head. "Claire's a mom and she seems kind of fun, but I think she's the only mom I know...? I don't think Eden has a mom, either. Do you have a mom, Ethiriel?"
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 11:27 pm
The topic didn't necessarily cheer Ethiriel up -- being about death, essentially -- but she appreciated the sentiment and smiled. She hummed, closing her eyes with a soft exhale. "Your secret is safe with me," she mused, idly rubbing the sides of her mug with her thumbs.
"As much as I enjoy the idea of romance, I'm in no way going to force it. I would rather just stay friends if it meant a relationship wasn't forced or ruined," Ethiriel said, turning her head towards Nicolina out of politeness. The Sigel hummed a laugh, glad to know that even if it wasn't how the woman had planned it, things seemed to have worked out for them in the end and that Vesna was with a good home -- that was all she could ask for when it came to Raevans.
Family... it was still such a strange concept in Ethiriel's mind. Even in her time with Leo, she'd never really considered him a father figure or family in general; he was her guardian, er, ex-guardian, and now Henry was her guardian. Nothing more, nothing less. This wasn't to say that she didn't care for the man -- the Sigel just never thought of anyone as anything other than friendly, professional or obligatory.
Humming again with thought, the tea Raevan opened her eyes and raised her brows. "No..." Despite her thoughts on the matter, Ethiriel continued as such, "Henry is in a relationship but he is not married. I haven't spent much time with his girlfriend as of late -- I believe things have been hectic with her work." She did smile, however, as she removed her fingers from the water. Resting her elbows on the table, she leaned her chin against the backs of her intertwined fingers. Moving away from the idea of her own "family," Ethiriel added, "Claire is a wonderful woman. I'm glad you have had the chance to meet her."
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Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2017 12:53 pm
Vesna stuck out her tongue. "Humans are so busy, right?? I hardly get to go out because Dad's always working, and so is Grandma, and everybody else he knows."
"Now, Lorenzo makes time for you, dear," Nicolina said lightly.
"Yeah, but he has to freak out about schedules first and where to pencil in Mrs. Turner's dead poodle and all that," Vesna said dismissively. "When I'm a Valsaros, I'm just going to, like... Do things."
"That's the dream, I suppose," demurred Nicolina drily. "Unfortunately, necromancers are especially busy, even by human standards."
"What about you?" Vesna asked Ethiriel. "You're so calm and cool... You're almost like an adult, right?? But you still have time to have like a million opera dates and do cool stuff and think about friendship." She looked down at the trailing ribbon where Ethiriel's legs should be and added, "Though I guess if you need to be calm and mature to grow a stomach, I might never grow up, let alone grow up faster." She considered this bleak future. "What was growing like for you? Was it cool? Were you like, 'I'm so calm and grown up now that I'm just gonna grow some more of my body, I guess???'"
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2017 7:59 pm
"I believe anyone with obligations may be deemed busy, I am afraid. It took me quite some time before I was able to go out on my own, but perhaps that day will come sooner for you than it had with me." Ethiriel said, giving Vesna a gentle, reassuring smile. "I do find it quite interesting that my guardian works to keep others alive while yours works to bring them back. I had never considered that for a profession before. I am sure that it is not that he does not want to spend time with you. You are young and he is new to guardianship, I assume?"
Ethiriel remembered her time with Leo -- young, unfamiliar with 'parenting.' He had always been quite busy as well, and there was a small amount of nervousness in the Sigel about Lorenzo's lack of time, but hopefully Vesna wouldn't have the same fate that she had to face once upon a time... but, then again, it had worked out for the better in her case, hadn't it?
She just... didn't wish that heartbreak on anybody.
Laughing softly into her knuckles, Ethiriel shook her head. "I do not know about cool... but I do suppose that I have matured a bit from when I was a Frei. I am still young, I would hope..." she said with another laugh, reaching for her now steeped water. "My circumstances did involve me realizing my flaws and working with them, but I do not think they were restricted to me being calm and 'grown up.' When your time comes to grow, it will be for a much different purpose." Instinctively, the Sigel reached her hand out onto the table towards Vesna, silently asking for hers, but she did not demand a response. The next question as Ethiriel reached out took her by surprise, and her brows knit upward awkwardly as a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "I realized that I did not need vision to be worth something. I found my missing friend and... well, I grew. Understand that it is different for everyone."
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