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 Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2024 4:44 pm
Arden ll 1
After sending word that he wouldn't be able to attend his evening shift - under the guise of 'taking a walk around the block' - Arden returned home. He'd passively checked in on his father and brother before deciding he needed to do something. So, for the past hour or so he'd started cleaning the kitchen. First it was just sweeping the floor, then it turned into mopping, cleaning off the table - everything led up to his sleeves being rolled, soapy water up to his elbows, and a tempestuous hybrid scrubbing the life out of his mother's favorite pan.
She'd be home soon and then what? Was he supposed to stay quiet until his father had a chance to talk to her? Or was that Colm's job, since he was the oldest? The true Sargsyan heir. Arden's scrubbing intensified. Only the sound of water coming to a boil caught his ear and he set his work aside just long enough to check on dinner. It wasn't much - just a simple dish, something light in comparison to the heat - but it was something he knew the twins would eat. Or try to, anyway.
And the act of preparing it kept him from breaking a chair, so there was that.
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2024 4:51 pm
Asa ll 1
After seeing Amon off, Asa had excused himself to retire to the bedroom. He'd done his best to see to his sons but his mental state was so far gone that it had been cursory at best. The balance of three lives had been changed with a single conversation and sometime soon three more would be added to that number. His twins were in just as precarious a position as the boys, and Ygraine...What would she do when she learned of Amon?
Making a noise of discontent, Asa pulled the blanket up over his head. He hated this. Hated that it hadn't gone away when he woke from his nap and hated that the life he'd built away from the Sargsyan name was being pulled away. Even if he wanted to pretend it wasn't happening sooner or later the same hands that ensnared him would reach out for his children. He knew that and yet...
With a huff he sat up in bed and pulled his knees to his chest. He should go downstairs - if nothing else than to greet his wife and youngest children when they came home - but he stayed, head bowing to lay atop his knees.
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2024 5:00 pm
Zev ll 1
Zev was practically brimming with energy. Today marked the second day this week he'd been able to attend his classes with no issues and despite the near constant level of fatigue that clung to his bones the teen couldn't find a reason not to smile. He'd gotten to spend so much time with friends, had even taken a few exams and Zev more than eager to show off his accomplishments to his eldest brother, Colm, after all of his tutoring.
The only thing bugging him about today was the fact that Colm wasn't where he was supposed to be. Actually, neither of them were, but not seeing Arden after classes was common these days. Colm though... that had been odd. So, he'd waited for Yona and talked about his day to her instead.
"-wonder if they'll ask me to be in the Academy! Do you think they will? I think I'm smart enough."
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2024 5:09 pm
Colm 1/7
Perhaps it was for the best that the three split ways, after Amon left. The temptation was there to ply his father with more questions, or to begin planning just what a revelation like this meant to their family. Instead, their father retreated, clearly exhausted, and (perhaps characteristically), Arden was driven into a frenzy, and had to unleash all of his energy somewhere.
In the past, he would sneak out of the house and do... whatever it was he did, to blow off steam. Instead, he was taking all that frustration out on their house instead, and Colm didn't have it in him to interrupt. So, instead, he perched himself on one of the seats in the cramped little sitting room of their apartment, listening to the clinking of Arden in the other room.
Colm knew, distantly, he'd forgotten something, but his brain was too busy turning over the puzzle of the Sargsyan's to remember what it was.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2024 5:16 pm
Ygraine 1/7
While Ygraine missed being at home with her littlest children, she had to grudgingly admit that them reaching school age had been a relief. For one, the distance had been a temporary balm to her and Yona's relationship, strained as it was as the girl reached her teen years. The twins were better at caring for themselves, most of the time... and so although Ygraine still had an awful habit of frantically hovering over them when they got ill, she'd listened to her husband's reprimands and learned to retreat, after being waved off a few times.
It was... a learning experience, but things were getting better. Yona hadn't said she hated her in a number of months, and Zev's mood seemed better too.
She wouldn't mention that being able to return to a more reliable work schedule was a relief too. It felt cruel, to lament their limited income when the alternative was not being there for her children.
... Still. Ygraine didn't mind the work. She was tired from a long day of labor, but happy to look forward to a few days off as she returned home, stooping slightly to fit through the earthling sized door frame.
Seeing Colm in the sitting room sent her eyebrows up, but the sounds from the kitchen were more of a mystery. Exchanging a look with her oldest son, she peeked into the kitchen and saw Arden hard at work - a fact that left her standing, surprised and stunned, for a long moment before she pulled away, hoping she hadn't been noticed.
She wasn't about to question what was going on, not when the results were a shiny kitchen, and hopefully a tired out son.
So Ygraine retreated and instead headed upstairs to her and Asa's room, her steps heavy enough to announce her arrival before she cracked open the door. "Awake sweetheart?" She called, peeking inside.
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2024 5:23 pm
Yona 1/7 Yona enjoyed seeing her brother in a good mood, but admittedly felt like her temper was reaching a breaking point. She was tired from a long day, and although her fever had broken before lunch she had sweat through her makeup, and it wasn't until the end of the day that she noticed the state of her hair. There was absolutely no chance the pretty Lightning boy in her class, Broderick, would want to ask her out now - not after looking like a childish little slob most of the day!
She fought to keep her pouty mood off her face though, because really she didn't want to dim her brother's mood, not when it was so cheery.
"Of course. They'd be fools not to, with a mind like yours." She said with a roll of her eyes, lightly bumping her hip into her twin. Maybe an exaggeration, but she truly believed if he was at school more regularly he wouldn't struggle at all. HER grades, though, were mostly due to her apathy to her studies, and dedication only to the bare minimum to stay in classes at all. If she was going to die at any time, she'd rather spend her time kissing classmates, and less time cramming things into her brain she'd never need.
"Colm will tell you as soon as we get home - he wouldn't waste his time tutoring you if he didn't think you were worth it."
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2024 5:42 pm
Zev ll 2
Juggling his school satchel was always a chore, especially when it was fit to burst. If it wasn't for his classes it was some new book Zev borrowed, some sort of transcribed lecture he was pouring over, etc. It weighed heavily on his already too frail shoulders, causing the teenager to constantly tug on the leather strap while he walked. Sometimes it even caused him to lean a little too far, and in the worst causes, tumble.
He hitched it up once again only to have his sister bump her hip against his and he skittered a few steps away. Instead of getting annoyed he just laughed. "Yeah, I guess so." Zev hoped it was true. It wasn't often that he was able to attend class at all so while he was home Zev tried to make the best of it. When he looked at her he saw the pallor of her skin - knew what that flush meant - but chose not to comment on it. Instead, Zev reached out to take her hand in his and gave a squeeze.
If he could Zev would have taken the sickness from her. He was okay being stuck inside because he had his books and his lessons, but she...Well, one day Yona was going to spread her wings - regardless of her illness - but he wished he could give her the strength to fly farther.
"I hope he's alright. I wanted to show him my latest marks in Professor Langdon's class." His smile dampened a little, but he kept it as they neared home. "That man has it out for me, I know it." He reached for the knob and turned it. A wave of spice hit his nose the moment Zev entered and he raised a brow. "Arden's cooking?"
His brother had a penchant for spices, but...when was the last time he'd even bothered to cook?
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2024 6:06 pm
Asa ll 2
His wife's efforts were not in vain and the sound of footfalls gave Asa a moment to collect himself. By the time she looked inside he had pried his head away from his knees and looked to her with a nod. "Yes, dear. Welcome home." Exhaustion weighed heavy on Asa, as much a physical burden as a mental one, and the days of sleepless nights were getting to him. He'd been tempted to fall asleep rather than just nap, but that was just another form of avoidance. When he swung his legs over the side of the bed and finally stood his very soul pulled him back to that bed - to the promise to holding off for just a little longer - but Asa pushed back.
He ran a hand through his hair to 'tame' some of the wayward locks. By the time he came around to reach her Asa looked more or less put together. The iceling open his mouth, only to paused and close it once more. "We should - We need to have-"
A clanging from downstairs caught his ear and Asa turned his eye away from his wife to the doorway. He heard what he thought might be Arden's voice, but could only make out 'dinner', which was... "Goddess, what is happening today?" Asa murmured.
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2024 6:16 pm
Arden ll 2
While his mother's arrival had gone completely unnoticed, the twins' did not. He could hear murmuring by the door so it came as little surprise to him when Arden turned to see the edges of Zev's cardigan poking around the corner. "Hey, set the table? And Yona-" Arden reached inside of one of the cabinets, looked for a familiar glass potion bottle and set it on the table. It was one of their father's concoctions, specifically made to reduce fevers without any sort of drowsy after effects. It wasn't an instant cure, but it she was still feeling under the weather she might not want to eat. That wasn't going to slide with him. Not after today.
As for the rest of their family -
Arden hefted the pan he'd scrubbed so heartily in one hand, a heavy wooden spoon in the other and proceeded to beat the life out of it. "Dinner's ready! Eat it now or eat it cold; I don't care."
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2024 6:33 pm
Ygraine 2/7
Asa looked exhausted. It was difficult to stifle the surge of worry, which grew stronger as the years passed. They'd been married long enough for Ygraine to become acclimated to her husband's condition. She'd seen the way his color returned, for a few years, when his magic strengthened and his healing was at its strongest. When the medicine Uquin gave them was still effective. He'd never been out of danger, even at his healthiest, but there'd been a time when she hoped the Belrean air had actually stabilized his condition somewhat.
It meant that now, seeing him losing weight again and losing more and more stamina, she knew deep in her heart that his best days were behind him.
The spirited young girl she'd used to be was still there, still treasured every moment, loved him more than life itself, so strongly she could never regret their lives together - but now she had a more realistic version of herself that realized she was the Ygraine who would have to deal with the day Asa finally left their family. Who had to realize that that day was closer than it had ever been.
"I take it this is a surprise to you too?" She teased softly, shoving the surge of melancholy away. Instead she ducked down to kiss his forehead. "Should we go down and see what concoction he's cooked up?"
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2024 6:45 pm
Yona 2/7
Yona paused for a brief moment when her brother stumbled, exhaling a silent breath when he righted himself and let out a puff of laughter. Only then did she resume her steps, pretending as if she'd never been concerned in the first place.
She fought the urge to tug her hand away when he took it - not because she didn't like to comforting touch, but because she knew Zev's affectionate nature with her made him a target of some bullying at school. Most boys didn't accept hugs and cheek kisses from their sisters, but sometimes her brother seemed to forget ... or simply not care what the other teens thought of their closeness.
So, her hand twitched, but ultimately she clasped his hand back, and kept holding it up until they were stepping inside their home - at which point she had to let go, just so they could file through the narrow doorway.
Her nose delicately wrinkled at the wave of spice, leveling her older brother with a flat stare that softened when he silently set out a potion for her.
She plucked up the bottle and drank it without making a face, arching a brow at Arden's loud banging. Then her gaze slid past him to Colm, who had come to loiter in the doorway. "First Colm skips school, then you're cooking dinner? Should we be worried Zev?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2024 6:49 pm
Colm 2/7 Colm sat up straighter when the door opened to reveal his mother, carefully wiping his face blank. Thankfully, she didn't notice his heavy thoughts, or misread it as matching consternation over Arden's cooking, and soon enough she was disappearing upstairs to check on Father. Colm breathed out in relief, but fought back a huff of tiredness when the door opened mere moments later to reveal the twins.
Standing, Colm moved to the Zev's side, relieving him of his heavy satchel without a word so that the boy could scurry off to do as Arden asked. He opened his mouth to greet them, but shut it at Yona's drawl, narrowing his eyes at her. "It's fine. Something came up over lunch. By the time I finished it wasn't worth the trip back, that's all. Arden I can help you serve?" Anything to break eye contact with Yona, whose pale eyed gaze always seemed so unnerving, especially when she looked suspicious.
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scarlett arbuckle Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2024 4:01 pm
Asa ll 3
Asa was no fool. He knew enough of healing herbs and tinctures to notice the changes Uquin had made to stabilize him over the years. At first it had been a more subtle shift, just enough to get him through the winter months or a particularly harsh bout, but now he couldn't tell the difference. Still, the iceling persevered until worry over his most recent troubles snatched the appetite from his belly and the sleep from his eyes. He'd been a wreck at best over the past week and after seeing Amon - spirits, he could only imagine what Ygraine saw.
In truth he had little desire to eat, but Arden had already made that decision for him. "Truthfully I expected him to be gone." The boy rarely spent his evenings at home which made this sudden shift all the more worrisome. When her lips touched his forehead Asa gave a contented hum and looked up with a soft smile. "Maybe he'll have mercy and leave the heat for another dish." Arden's time in Oba had clearly left it's mark. The hotter a dish the better, no matter what it did to the rest of his family.
When he started to walk Asa felt himself drift a little and caught himself at the last moment by reaching a hand toward Ygraine. For a breath he thought about brushing it off, and yet -
"Miss Ygraine, would you mind lending me your hand? I know you've had a long day, but the stairs..." His voice drifted, a little pinch to his brow.
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Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2024 4:23 pm
Zev ll 3
When she didn't immediately pull away Zev found himself moving just a little bit closer to Yona. He kept inching closer until her shoulder was close enough for him to briefly lay his head on before righting himself with a grin. The last time he'd done that a boy from his class tried to tease him about it after their mathematics session. Zev had proceeded to tell him just what he thought of the other boy - in perfectly fluent Zenan. High Zenan, no less; with a perfect accent, or so his father begrudgingly claimed. That was the one and only time he'd ever used it around Asa and to this day he wasn't sure why it had bothered the man so.
"I think we should run." His eyes briefly traveled between Arden and Yona, feet already moving forward with his satchel - only to have the weight taken away. The abrupt shift was enough to caused him to rock on the balls of his feet, but when he saw who took it Zev smiled. He mouthed a quick 'thank you' before skittering into the kitchen.
Plate after plate, Zev got the table ready for dinner, all the while avoiding getting to close to anything hot or Arden as he worked. He couldn't place it, but something was just off. Both of his elder brothers had a certain look to them that made him impossibly curious but also terrified to ask.
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Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2024 4:36 pm
Arden ll 3
Unlike his brother, Arden had no issue leveling his own stare back at Yona's and holding it. He'd learned early that if he broke she would take it as a victory and as the elder sibling he could not allow that. When her eyes softened so did his and when he saw her take up the potion he turned to continue cooking. They'd butted heads more times than he could count, but a lot could be said with a well placed look. Arden was glad for that.
"It's nothing fancy so don't get your knickers in a twist." He scooped a healthy helping of the dish onto a plate and handed it off to Colm. For a moment something in him shifted - a more vulnerable side - that showed some of the unease from earlier. Letting that go around the twins was hard, but he worried less about Colm seeing the tremor in his hand as he handed the plate over.
He leaned in closer to the older boy to murmur, "Do you think he'll come down?"
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