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 Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 2:40 pm
Arden - 6
"What?" Arden snapped, turning a scathing look toward Ygraine. "Am I supposed to lie to them? Or was that your job?"
They were no more safe in Belrea than they'd been in Oba and she knew it. Everything in this house had been built on a fragile, transparent hope and the moment someone questioned it everything fell apart. He'd given up his life to come here so that his father might live and they could be happy but he wasn't and she just -
Arden sat back in his seat with a snarl. "No, you're right Colm, it wasn't their fault." He'd always been a passionate boy; one who felt so intensely and with his entire heart. That also meant that once the lid to his temper had been pulled back there was no replacing it. He brushed his brother's hand away and to prevent any other attempts at 'soothing', Arden pushed back from the table.
He walked over the counter instead.
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 2:48 pm
Zev - 6
He wanted to believe his mother, really he did, but the more everyone talk the more his heart sank. If Amon had managed to come this far on a whim then what would happen when trained fighters followed him? If a hoard of men with swords and magic showed up at their doorstep would they be able to resist?
Amon wouldn't have been able to wipe them out on his own, but what if he wasn't as alone as he said he was? What if he'd lied, what if - ? Zev whipped his head from Arden to his mother to his father, sister and elder brother -
'...only as strong as it's brood'.
So that was it then. He was just as useless as his father in their eyes and Yona too. The only ones they would want would have been Colm and Arden, though he didn't see either of his brothers going willingly. Which might - "What if we did?" Zev asked in a quiet voice. The only one he thought might catch on in all of this was Colm, so he turned his attention to his brother. "They're expecting us to keep running, but why not go back? If we planned it just right we could usurp the Sargsyans without blood shed."
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 3:03 pm
Asa - 6
Everything he'd feared was playing out right before his eyes. The fracture of his family; of leaving behind a legacy so discordant that nothing would keep it together. He tried to keep his thoughts together, to bring some of those pieces to light as his children bickered among one another, but Arden -
Arden was the final straw.
"Silence."
Asa held up a hand toward his son, pressed his middle finger and thumb against one another, before dragging them across the air. A spark of frigid blue magic snapped from his fingers towards Arden's mouth and brought the boys lips together. He knew Arden wouldn't forgive him for it, but Asa didn't exactly care. For once his blood was thrumming and it was in anger.
"Let me make this abundantly clear-" He made his voice as loud as possible without yelling himself and the sternness in it caught even himself off guard. "Whatever choices your mother made was not alone and everything we have done has been together. My feelings do not align with my father's. He would see you as weak, not just because of your illness - " His eyes traveled to the twins - "-but because of your blood. The very thing that makes you precious to me."
He gave his wife's hand a squeeze and turned his eyes to hers, finally letting down his walls long enough to offer her a smile. "This isn't ideal - not in the least - and I truly am sorry that I withheld all of this from you." He turned back to his children. "But listen to Colm when he speaks. Whatever steps we make now must be as a family. Going back to Zena...I cannot think of anything I'd rather do less, but this is as much your right to choose as it is mine. I've not been able to protect any of you like I should have, but I can offer my support."
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 4:17 pm
(6/7)
Ygraine wasn't sure what face she was making, mainly because she wasn't able to interpret the cyclone of emotions she was feeling in this moment as the table erupted into yelling and chaos. Arden was angry, so very angry, and while it wasn't the first time that anger had been turned on Ygraine, the sheer emotion in his stormy eyes brought her up short, making her pulse race as if chased by a predator.
She was scared, she realized. All of her children were adults, like it or not - Yona and Zev right on the cusp, but older than she had been when she met Asa for the fist time. They weren't babies anymore, content to be coddled and sheltered. Arden's resentment was physical enough to cut whenever she reached for him, Colm's responsibility had stolen away what childhood he might have had. Yona had fought tooth and nail with Ygraine since puberty, and even her sweet littlest boy was immune to her attempts to soothe.
She'd always been confident that their love would keep them together, but in this moment she saw that future Asa always feared - that without him they'd splinter and go off in different directions. And not the way she and her siblings had, with distance but fondness, but with anger and coldness between them.
Her mouth moved, but she had no words, struck dumb by the ensuing chaos, and in that moment she felt impotent and useless as her children fell apart. It was up to her to keep things together, she was supposed to be their protector, she had to-
"Silence."
Ygraine's face snapped up to Asa, stunned at the power of that simple word. She might have scolded him for the use of magic on one of their children, but as all the conversation halted she just- felt thankful. She weakly squeezed his hand back, biting her lip as he addressed them all.
She recoiled just a bit, realizing that even Asa was suggesting the horrifying possibility of their babies going into the den of snakes in Zena - but where she'd always stamped her foot at the prospect of her children ever doing anything dangerous, in this moment - she nodded. "A life without being in danger is... is all we've ever wanted for you all, my little loves." Ygraine conceded, delicately brushing at her eyes to wipe away any stubborn tears that tried to ruin the moment. "This trip will be dangerous. Both from those who mean us harm, but... but also to our health." She squeezed Asa's hand, her own shaking. This very well may be a choice that finally drove him to the brink. "But you're all so grown up, and I'm proud of who you're all growing up to be, and I- I'll be behind you, every step of the way. We both will be."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 4:29 pm
(6/7)
Yona-- Colm made a hissing sound against his teeth in hopes it would dissuade his little sister from her tirade, but it went unnoticed. She shared her temper with her big brother Arden, and both of them were far too angry to be restrained. He withdrew the hand that Arden had dismissed, curling it into a fist against the table.
Yona picked up a bit of what Colm had suggested, but it was Zev who truly understood - and he smiled, tired and grateful, at his little brother, eyes glimmering proudly. He knew it was a lot to ask, the riskiest and maybe stupidest move they could make, something that very well may end tragically for all of them. But - one hybrid with a claim could be easily swept under the rug.
All of them? And their father, if he- if he made it there in one piece? It would be impossible to ignore, especially if they did it in a way so public that no one could ignore them.
He spoke, voice raised to be heard over Yona, but it was their father's uncharacteristically loud order that made him cut off into quiet, obediently staring at his father. He sat up a bit straighter, pulse thumping, at his father's acknowledgement - it brought out a pride and determination that overshadowed the hurt and resentment that had started curling like a viper in his heart that afternoon. He felt, perhaps for the first time in a long time, that he was not just the eldest sibling, but also truly someone worthy of succeeding everything Asa was. Not that actually taking over that family mattered to Colm, but Asa was who he looked up to the most in this world and that vote of confidence meant more to him than he could say.
"I really think Zev is right." He looked at his brother, then around at the rest of them again. "I have a claim but not the knowledge to pull this off - I wouldn't be able to do this without our family working together. Father knows how they think - Arden and Yona, you know people much better than I do and would know how to negotiate without being pushed around. Zev, you'd be able to learn from father about what they do much better and faster than I could. And lets face it - mother is the strongest of all of us, they'd hesitate to start a fight with all of us together."
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 4:44 pm
(6/7)
Yona's eyes snapped to Zev, startled briefly out of her rage by him actually suggesting they get tangled up in all this. "Usurp them? Zev, little brother-- this isn't one of your stories." She lowered her tone in a way that came off less reassuring and more condescending, though it wasn't her intention. Colm made to speak, and her eyes flashed as she glared at him, mouth opening to yell back-
Then father stepped in, and perhaps for the first time she imagined he really could have been the leader of a family like that, in another world. Her eyes were round with surprise, mouth open as he spoke. Then mother. And- just like that?
Just like that, all the overbearing 'you can't go outside you'll get a cold, Yona-' all the 'You can't go to that dance' or 'you can't eat that food-' was just gone?
She stared between her parents, stunned and confused.
On impulse, the thought of going to a place where she was likely to die... either from the cold of Zena, or an assassin, made her balk. But after a moment she admitted to herself that she'd lived her whole life, thanks to her parents, afraid of everything, unable to do the things she really wanted. If she was going to die hunted like an animal, she'd rather face it head on than become terrified like her mother was.
"You really are hopeless with people, Colm. Without us to advise you you wouldn't last a day." She said with a huff. "... Mother and Father aren't allowed to change their minds and get scared halfway there."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 5:19 pm
Arden - 7
For the first time in his life Arden didn't balk at the emotion on his mother's face. He met it, absorbed it and let his own overrule it. There wasn't a part of him that didn't know it was his fault, but he didn't care. He was just so very, very angry.
And that rage only boiled when his father silenced him. He tried to pry open his lips with his hands and when that didn't work Arden turned his hatred toward Asa. The hard severity of his features caused his chest to swell and gods above, how his skin burned.
For a moment he locked eyes with the man who had sired him and Asa was not the first to look away. In this instance it was Arden, who pushed past his seated brother Colm and stormed out of the dining room.
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 5:33 pm
Asa - 7
He'd always encouraged his children to live as freely as possible, but perhaps he'd been foolish to do so. Watching the malice roll through his second born was akin to seeing a younger version of his father. It worried Asa as much as it angered him, and when the boy left he made no move to stop him. Instead, he merely raised his hand and contemplated reversing the magical hold he had over Arden. Instead, Asa did no such thing. Arden would return later and only once they'd had a good, proper talk would he lift the spell.
Until then the boy could stew with his thoughts.
He sat back in his seat, and lifted his wife's hand so that he might kiss the back of it. "He'll come around." With one child gone, Asa watched the remaining three contemplate their next steps. It was unbearably difficult not to interject, but he meant what he said. This was their lives as much as his own and they had every right to live it.
"You have my word, Yona, that I won't change my mind. You'll have me until the end." With the state of his health Asa knew he wasn't long for the after life. The stress of the past few days had done a number on his nerves and the trip would likely worsen his condition, but until he could no longer draw air he would do his best.
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 5:41 pm
Zev - 7
The hybrid squeezed his sister's hand as he rolled his eyes. "I'm not a fool, Yona - and I'm only your younger brother by a blink." He was so used to her being the more assertive twin that Zev nearly fell back into old habits. It was in his nature to sit back while she took over verbal battles with Arden, a match of wits with Colm and discussions with their parents.
But now he had a chance to prove himself. Colm was listening to him and wasn't trying to baby him - not in the same way mother and Yona tried. "I've studied Zenan languages for years - old common, regional dialects, trade phrases - and their cultures. It's all I've been able to do." For a moment he looked down at the table, at his thin hands that were nearly so pale you could see through to the bone. "I can learn how their lines of succession work and find a loophole - some way to get us an audience with someone who can help. We wouldn't have to fight; we just have to be smart with what we have."
His big brother was right. They had all the right assets; they'd just never thought to use them before. "Mother, father, I know you wanted to protect us, but wasn't the reason you left because you wanted father to live? What life do I have if I stay? I might...I might die I go to Zena, but at least I'll the snow caps and I won't be stuck in my bed."
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 5:56 pm
(7/7)
It felt wrong to continue this conversation without Arden, but he hadn't given them much choice. And... as it was, it would seem the rest of them were in agreement. Ygraine breathed shakily, but she had said her piece. Instead, she watched her amazing, sweet, intelligent children and just held on to Asa's hand like a life line, her lips twitching into a tired smile at her husband's reassurances.
She hoped he was right. "Oh I'm scared right now." Ygraine said, voice low. But then she snorted and allowed herself to slump sideways into Asa, leaning her cheek against the top of his head. "But I won't change my mind this time. If this is our last chance for a proper trip together, I won't mess that up for the world."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 6:04 pm
(7/7)
Colm really, truly hoped that Arden would come around. But... distantly, he conceded that there was a chance that after everything that had come to light in the past few hours, his little brother might see it as the chance he'd wanted to cut ties and go back 'home'. He wanted to believe Arden wouldn't leave them now, when they needed to stick together, but he also wouldn't blame him if he did.
He prayed he wouldn't. But he'd driven Arden further and further away the more he chased, and tried to control and bend him to their parents' will. What he needed right now was the freedom to choose, for once, without any of them pressuring him. IT was a long sought wisdom, one Colm hadn't understood until finally tasting just a piece of Arden's anger.
... Though, their father had given him quite an incentive to come back, at least for a final conversation. He hoped he wouldn't miss his brother when he finally returned home.
He chuckled though at Yona, breaking the ice somewhat with her brattiness. "Thanks ever so, little sister." He said dryly. As for Zev - the tension was further shattered, and Colm laughed, fondly, reaching to clap his brother on the shoulder. "Oh? Is that all?" he teased, warmly. "Look at that. We're all behind, Zev's been planning for this all his life!"
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2025 6:09 pm
(7/7) Oh. Oops. Yona, barely minutes after their mother praised them all for being 'so grown', stuck her tongue out at her twin, but didn't take his sudden assertiveness personally. She eased herself finally back into her chair, winded despite herself, and allowed the others' planning to wash over her, satisfaction slowly drowning out the adrenaline still making her pulse thrum. Her eyes kept going to the door, expecting Arden to come storming back in any moment, but they all seemed resigned to the rest of the evening without their brother. " Ugh. You're such a show off." Yona looked at Zev sideways, but smiled, fond and proud. She wished she was as fulfilled in their studies as Zev was - maybe then she'd be useful in this plot of theirs. But even if she didn't have a use (despite Colm suggesting she was good at people, please), she still had every intention of tagging along and enjoying the trip as much as she could. " And if I die, I'd like to at least meet some pretty people first that I didn't grow up in classes with. Ew." It was as close to admitting she wanted to 'sow her oats' so to speak as she could get, in front of her parents and big brother.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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