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A few days before, Ariadne had received the biggest news of her life. She was going to be a lady’s maid to the princess of the realm. Her life was about to change forever. At ten years old, that was a rather awfully large thing to imagine, but imagine Ari could. She knew already what this could mean for her family. She would have to do her best – be her best – to prove to everyone that she was worth it. That her family was worth it. This could mean everything to them. All the hard work her father was doing. Isi’s future as well. To have a connection – to be a connection – at court was something they could have only dreamed of before. Ari was determined not to mess it up.
The one sadness in all of this was that Ari was to leave her family for the first time ever. Both her father and uncle had left before. That was not something unfamiliar to her. But she had never been apart from her twin for more than a few hours at a time. For ten years they had been inseparable. And now here she was about to leave for a very long time. When her father had first told her the news, Ari thought it was meant for Ismene. When that was cleared up, she then wondered why Isi couldn’t come with. Surely having two people to serve would be better than one. Isi would make just a great companion as Ari would. Why couldn’t she come too?
Hector had been firm on that point, though. As much as Ari begged and pleaded, he hadn’t relented. Part of Ari knew that her twin wouldn’t be happy living in a life of servitude to a princess, but that didn’t keep the selfish part of her from asking. She had never been even a night apart from her twin. And this would be her last night with her sister for many months. It had all been explained very carefully to her how often Ari might visit home. She knew that it could be months before the princess and her family would come back. Months before she could see her family again. Writing letters was always an option, but that wasn’t the same as being home. It wasn’t the same as the warm hugs from her father and the adventures with her sister. A letter could never convey those feelings. But a letter would be better than nothing at all. It was scary when she heard nothing at all when her father was gone. She wouldn’t want to repeat those feelings when it was within her power to do so.
For the past hour or so, Ariadne sat in her room, attempting to pack. She wasn’t really sure how much she would need and how much she would soon be able to get herself. Not only that, but packing meant that she was really really leaving. Had she known this was going to happen, she couldn’t help but think that she would have spent more time with her family these past few weeks. She would have made sure that she and Isi had felt like the most special it could have been. Instead, the days had passed like every other. They weren’t all that special at all.
With that thought, Ari felt a tear drip down her cheek. Here she was, all alone in her room, some clothes on the floor next to her, unable to do anything but cry. Why did change have to be so hard?
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A few days before, Ariadne had received the biggest news of her life. She was going to be a lady’s maid to the princess of the realm. Her life was about to change forever. At ten years old, that was a rather awfully large thing to imagine, but imagine Ari could. She knew already what this could mean for her family. She would have to do her best – be her best – to prove to everyone that she was worth it. That her family was worth it. This could mean everything to them. All the hard work her father was doing. Isi’s future as well. To have a connection – to be a connection – at court was something they could have only dreamed of before. Ari was determined not to mess it up.
The one sadness in all of this was that Ari was to leave her family for the first time ever. Both her father and uncle had left before. That was not something unfamiliar to her. But she had never been apart from her twin for more than a few hours at a time. For ten years they had been inseparable. And now here she was about to leave for a very long time. When her father had first told her the news, Ari thought it was meant for Ismene. When that was cleared up, she then wondered why Isi couldn’t come with. Surely having two people to serve would be better than one. Isi would make just a great companion as Ari would. Why couldn’t she come too?
Hector had been firm on that point, though. As much as Ari begged and pleaded, he hadn’t relented. Part of Ari knew that her twin wouldn’t be happy living in a life of servitude to a princess, but that didn’t keep the selfish part of her from asking. She had never been even a night apart from her twin. And this would be her last night with her sister for many months. It had all been explained very carefully to her how often Ari might visit home. She knew that it could be months before the princess and her family would come back. Months before she could see her family again. Writing letters was always an option, but that wasn’t the same as being home. It wasn’t the same as the warm hugs from her father and the adventures with her sister. A letter could never convey those feelings. But a letter would be better than nothing at all. It was scary when she heard nothing at all when her father was gone. She wouldn’t want to repeat those feelings when it was within her power to do so.
For the past hour or so, Ariadne sat in her room, attempting to pack. She wasn’t really sure how much she would need and how much she would soon be able to get herself. Not only that, but packing meant that she was really really leaving. Had she known this was going to happen, she couldn’t help but think that she would have spent more time with her family these past few weeks. She would have made sure that she and Isi had felt like the most special it could have been. Instead, the days had passed like every other. They weren’t all that special at all.
With that thought, Ari felt a tear drip down her cheek. Here she was, all alone in her room, some clothes on the floor next to her, unable to do anything but cry. Why did change have to be so hard?
A few days before, Ariadne had received the biggest news of her life. She was going to be a lady’s maid to the princess of the realm. Her life was about to change forever. At ten years old, that was a rather awfully large thing to imagine, but imagine Ari could. She knew already what this could mean for her family. She would have to do her best – be her best – to prove to everyone that she was worth it. That her family was worth it. This could mean everything to them. All the hard work her father was doing. Isi’s future as well. To have a connection – to be a connection – at court was something they could have only dreamed of before. Ari was determined not to mess it up.
The one sadness in all of this was that Ari was to leave her family for the first time ever. Both her father and uncle had left before. That was not something unfamiliar to her. But she had never been apart from her twin for more than a few hours at a time. For ten years they had been inseparable. And now here she was about to leave for a very long time. When her father had first told her the news, Ari thought it was meant for Ismene. When that was cleared up, she then wondered why Isi couldn’t come with. Surely having two people to serve would be better than one. Isi would make just a great companion as Ari would. Why couldn’t she come too?
Hector had been firm on that point, though. As much as Ari begged and pleaded, he hadn’t relented. Part of Ari knew that her twin wouldn’t be happy living in a life of servitude to a princess, but that didn’t keep the selfish part of her from asking. She had never been even a night apart from her twin. And this would be her last night with her sister for many months. It had all been explained very carefully to her how often Ari might visit home. She knew that it could be months before the princess and her family would come back. Months before she could see her family again. Writing letters was always an option, but that wasn’t the same as being home. It wasn’t the same as the warm hugs from her father and the adventures with her sister. A letter could never convey those feelings. But a letter would be better than nothing at all. It was scary when she heard nothing at all when her father was gone. She wouldn’t want to repeat those feelings when it was within her power to do so.
For the past hour or so, Ariadne sat in her room, attempting to pack. She wasn’t really sure how much she would need and how much she would soon be able to get herself. Not only that, but packing meant that she was really really leaving. Had she known this was going to happen, she couldn’t help but think that she would have spent more time with her family these past few weeks. She would have made sure that she and Isi had felt like the most special it could have been. Instead, the days had passed like every other. They weren’t all that special at all.
With that thought, Ari felt a tear drip down her cheek. Here she was, all alone in her room, some clothes on the floor next to her, unable to do anything but cry. Why did change have to be so hard?
With the news Ariadne had gotten recently it had formed a lot of questions in her mind. It was really the first time she’d considered that she and her twin would be separated from one another. Of course, there were feelings of resentment in the fact that her sister had been chosen but they were tampered down with other emotions such as protectiveness and foreboding loneliness. She also considered herself the more independent of the two and after a night of stewing over it realized it was for the best. Someone needed to remain in Arcana and keep an eye on their father… she guessed she’d just have to do that.
Coming into the cottage, her disheveled blonde hair barely held back by the pink ribbon. She was rubbing her elbow from where she’d skinned it after trying to walk across the railing of the fence in front of their neighbor’s house. After all, she did her best thinking and clearing her mind by walking back and forth on the fence railing. It was the falling she'd not planned. Mumbling something under her breath she’d heard her father say when he got frustrated. She paused in the kitchen and snagged an apple and bit into it before sneaking her way to the room she shared with Ariadne.
Opening the door, she looked at all the clothes on the floor. It wasn’t really like her twin to leave her clothes on the floor. With the apple in one hand, she bent down and scooped up one of Ariadne’s dress and held it up. Hmmm? Maybe she’d borrow this one. Throwing it over her shoulder, she lifted her gaze and settled it on her almost too quiet twin.
Blinking in surprise. What happened? What was wrong? Taking a step closer the noticed the tears streaking down Ariadne’s face. Oh, Gods NO! Tears!
“Ari!” She gasped and rushed forward, looking to see if her sister had hurt herself. “What’s wrong? What’s going on? Why are you crying? Did that sailor’s boy say something to you again? I swear….” Ismene glanced around and looking for something to clobber the boy with. “Come on! You know I caught him picking on that little redheaded boy down the street too… Don’t cry.” Her grey eyes looked panicked. She couldn’t handle it when Ariadne cried… Emotions scared her.
“I’ve had enough of him. I’ll get him onto the ground and you can kick him with those pointy little feet of yours… I’ll bite him. That’ll be the last time he picks on us.” She sniffled. Why were her words not comforting Ariadne? Oh, her father was going to kill her if she didn’t get Ari settled down before he got home… He’d think she’d done it! Glancing wildly around again, “Why are your clothes on the floor? We should pick this up before father get’s home…” Ariadne was going to give her an anxiety attack… What was going on?!
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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With the news Ariadne had gotten recently it had formed a lot of questions in her mind. It was really the first time she’d considered that she and her twin would be separated from one another. Of course, there were feelings of resentment in the fact that her sister had been chosen but they were tampered down with other emotions such as protectiveness and foreboding loneliness. She also considered herself the more independent of the two and after a night of stewing over it realized it was for the best. Someone needed to remain in Arcana and keep an eye on their father… she guessed she’d just have to do that.
Coming into the cottage, her disheveled blonde hair barely held back by the pink ribbon. She was rubbing her elbow from where she’d skinned it after trying to walk across the railing of the fence in front of their neighbor’s house. After all, she did her best thinking and clearing her mind by walking back and forth on the fence railing. It was the falling she'd not planned. Mumbling something under her breath she’d heard her father say when he got frustrated. She paused in the kitchen and snagged an apple and bit into it before sneaking her way to the room she shared with Ariadne.
Opening the door, she looked at all the clothes on the floor. It wasn’t really like her twin to leave her clothes on the floor. With the apple in one hand, she bent down and scooped up one of Ariadne’s dress and held it up. Hmmm? Maybe she’d borrow this one. Throwing it over her shoulder, she lifted her gaze and settled it on her almost too quiet twin.
Blinking in surprise. What happened? What was wrong? Taking a step closer the noticed the tears streaking down Ariadne’s face. Oh, Gods NO! Tears!
“Ari!” She gasped and rushed forward, looking to see if her sister had hurt herself. “What’s wrong? What’s going on? Why are you crying? Did that sailor’s boy say something to you again? I swear….” Ismene glanced around and looking for something to clobber the boy with. “Come on! You know I caught him picking on that little redheaded boy down the street too… Don’t cry.” Her grey eyes looked panicked. She couldn’t handle it when Ariadne cried… Emotions scared her.
“I’ve had enough of him. I’ll get him onto the ground and you can kick him with those pointy little feet of yours… I’ll bite him. That’ll be the last time he picks on us.” She sniffled. Why were her words not comforting Ariadne? Oh, her father was going to kill her if she didn’t get Ari settled down before he got home… He’d think she’d done it! Glancing wildly around again, “Why are your clothes on the floor? We should pick this up before father get’s home…” Ariadne was going to give her an anxiety attack… What was going on?!
With the news Ariadne had gotten recently it had formed a lot of questions in her mind. It was really the first time she’d considered that she and her twin would be separated from one another. Of course, there were feelings of resentment in the fact that her sister had been chosen but they were tampered down with other emotions such as protectiveness and foreboding loneliness. She also considered herself the more independent of the two and after a night of stewing over it realized it was for the best. Someone needed to remain in Arcana and keep an eye on their father… she guessed she’d just have to do that.
Coming into the cottage, her disheveled blonde hair barely held back by the pink ribbon. She was rubbing her elbow from where she’d skinned it after trying to walk across the railing of the fence in front of their neighbor’s house. After all, she did her best thinking and clearing her mind by walking back and forth on the fence railing. It was the falling she'd not planned. Mumbling something under her breath she’d heard her father say when he got frustrated. She paused in the kitchen and snagged an apple and bit into it before sneaking her way to the room she shared with Ariadne.
Opening the door, she looked at all the clothes on the floor. It wasn’t really like her twin to leave her clothes on the floor. With the apple in one hand, she bent down and scooped up one of Ariadne’s dress and held it up. Hmmm? Maybe she’d borrow this one. Throwing it over her shoulder, she lifted her gaze and settled it on her almost too quiet twin.
Blinking in surprise. What happened? What was wrong? Taking a step closer the noticed the tears streaking down Ariadne’s face. Oh, Gods NO! Tears!
“Ari!” She gasped and rushed forward, looking to see if her sister had hurt herself. “What’s wrong? What’s going on? Why are you crying? Did that sailor’s boy say something to you again? I swear….” Ismene glanced around and looking for something to clobber the boy with. “Come on! You know I caught him picking on that little redheaded boy down the street too… Don’t cry.” Her grey eyes looked panicked. She couldn’t handle it when Ariadne cried… Emotions scared her.
“I’ve had enough of him. I’ll get him onto the ground and you can kick him with those pointy little feet of yours… I’ll bite him. That’ll be the last time he picks on us.” She sniffled. Why were her words not comforting Ariadne? Oh, her father was going to kill her if she didn’t get Ari settled down before he got home… He’d think she’d done it! Glancing wildly around again, “Why are your clothes on the floor? We should pick this up before father get’s home…” Ariadne was going to give her an anxiety attack… What was going on?!
It took Ari a moment to realize that her sister had entered their room. She was in full tears mode now, not quite sobbing, but quite unsure that she would be able to stop. It was not a particularly fun feeling for her, but she knew that she would feel better after. Or at least, she hoped. Finally, Ari noticed Isi beside her, saying something about a boy. She wasn’t sure what her twin was talking about, but couldn’t communicate that at all. Instead, she just shook her head slightly, waiting for her tears to slow a bit.
Then, Isi’s words came to her. She was talking about the neighborhood boy that sometimes gave her trouble. Ari hated when he teased, but Isi always managed to push back. She was the brave one. She wasn’t afraid to stand up to him. She should be the one moving to the capital and serving as Persephone’s lady. She was far braver than Ari ever could be. She would know how to stand up for herself and face the big world of royalty and the senate. Oh, why was this happening to her?
Finally, it was Isi’s attempt to begin putting her clothes away that Ari found her voice. She forced her tears to slow, although they could not yet stop. It was too much. But it seemed that Isi didn’t understand what was happening. Or else she would not wonder why the clothes were out. Did nobody think to tell her that tonight would be Ariadne’s last night at home? Ari had thought her father would have said something, but it seemed as thought that hadn’t happened. She supposed it was her duty to inform her twin, but in everything she had forgotten. Oh, she was a bad twin.
“It’s not the boy,” she said, hiccupping a little through the tears. “Oh, Isi….I am packing. I have to leave with Princess Persephone tomorrow.” Once she began to speak, it seemed that she couldn’t be stopped. “I have to pack my things and I don’t know what to bring. I don’t know what is good enough to wear at the palace or what even I will need at the palace. I have everything I need here. How will I find it there? And Isi, oh how I wish you were coming with me. I don’t know how I can do this without you. I’m not ready to leave. I’m so sorry. I wish it was you instead of me. There’s nothing special about me—they should have picked you.”
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It took Ari a moment to realize that her sister had entered their room. She was in full tears mode now, not quite sobbing, but quite unsure that she would be able to stop. It was not a particularly fun feeling for her, but she knew that she would feel better after. Or at least, she hoped. Finally, Ari noticed Isi beside her, saying something about a boy. She wasn’t sure what her twin was talking about, but couldn’t communicate that at all. Instead, she just shook her head slightly, waiting for her tears to slow a bit.
Then, Isi’s words came to her. She was talking about the neighborhood boy that sometimes gave her trouble. Ari hated when he teased, but Isi always managed to push back. She was the brave one. She wasn’t afraid to stand up to him. She should be the one moving to the capital and serving as Persephone’s lady. She was far braver than Ari ever could be. She would know how to stand up for herself and face the big world of royalty and the senate. Oh, why was this happening to her?
Finally, it was Isi’s attempt to begin putting her clothes away that Ari found her voice. She forced her tears to slow, although they could not yet stop. It was too much. But it seemed that Isi didn’t understand what was happening. Or else she would not wonder why the clothes were out. Did nobody think to tell her that tonight would be Ariadne’s last night at home? Ari had thought her father would have said something, but it seemed as thought that hadn’t happened. She supposed it was her duty to inform her twin, but in everything she had forgotten. Oh, she was a bad twin.
“It’s not the boy,” she said, hiccupping a little through the tears. “Oh, Isi….I am packing. I have to leave with Princess Persephone tomorrow.” Once she began to speak, it seemed that she couldn’t be stopped. “I have to pack my things and I don’t know what to bring. I don’t know what is good enough to wear at the palace or what even I will need at the palace. I have everything I need here. How will I find it there? And Isi, oh how I wish you were coming with me. I don’t know how I can do this without you. I’m not ready to leave. I’m so sorry. I wish it was you instead of me. There’s nothing special about me—they should have picked you.”
It took Ari a moment to realize that her sister had entered their room. She was in full tears mode now, not quite sobbing, but quite unsure that she would be able to stop. It was not a particularly fun feeling for her, but she knew that she would feel better after. Or at least, she hoped. Finally, Ari noticed Isi beside her, saying something about a boy. She wasn’t sure what her twin was talking about, but couldn’t communicate that at all. Instead, she just shook her head slightly, waiting for her tears to slow a bit.
Then, Isi’s words came to her. She was talking about the neighborhood boy that sometimes gave her trouble. Ari hated when he teased, but Isi always managed to push back. She was the brave one. She wasn’t afraid to stand up to him. She should be the one moving to the capital and serving as Persephone’s lady. She was far braver than Ari ever could be. She would know how to stand up for herself and face the big world of royalty and the senate. Oh, why was this happening to her?
Finally, it was Isi’s attempt to begin putting her clothes away that Ari found her voice. She forced her tears to slow, although they could not yet stop. It was too much. But it seemed that Isi didn’t understand what was happening. Or else she would not wonder why the clothes were out. Did nobody think to tell her that tonight would be Ariadne’s last night at home? Ari had thought her father would have said something, but it seemed as thought that hadn’t happened. She supposed it was her duty to inform her twin, but in everything she had forgotten. Oh, she was a bad twin.
“It’s not the boy,” she said, hiccupping a little through the tears. “Oh, Isi….I am packing. I have to leave with Princess Persephone tomorrow.” Once she began to speak, it seemed that she couldn’t be stopped. “I have to pack my things and I don’t know what to bring. I don’t know what is good enough to wear at the palace or what even I will need at the palace. I have everything I need here. How will I find it there? And Isi, oh how I wish you were coming with me. I don’t know how I can do this without you. I’m not ready to leave. I’m so sorry. I wish it was you instead of me. There’s nothing special about me—they should have picked you.”
Somewhere deep down in her mind she had known it wasn’t the boy who was causing her empathetic twin to have a small meltdown there in their room. There was however a larger part of Ismene who was not ready to think about all of this yet. She’d put all of her pain on a shelf to save it and examine it later, maybe tomorrow and if tomorrow didn’t work… then the day after. She wasn’t going to waste her thoughts right now on ‘what-ifs’ or ‘maybes’. What if Ariadne didn’t have someone around to watch over her? Or, What if Ismene got lonely? Those were the sort of things that she wasn’t going to think about, at least not right now.
Instead, she busied herself. Bending down and snatching up one piece of clothing, tossing it over her shoulder and then bending and snatching up another one. She couldn’t stand the garments on the floor. Usually, this wasn’t such an issue but it felt today like a heavyweight that was sinking on her. Why had Ari thrown them onto the floor?
Her twin burst into full water work mode generating a bewildered stare from Ismene. How could she help? How could she comfort Ari? Her eyes flashed about the room again. Isi was a turner. If she didn’t like it, then she didn’t deal with it. It wasn’t a sure plan there were occasions that she was backed into a corner and forced to confront the things she didn’t want to. This was looking like it was going to be one of those times.
‘It’s not the boy.’ Ari hiccuped. A corner of Ismene’s lip crept downward. They were getting dangerously close to emotional territory. ‘Oh, Isi….I am packing. I have to leave with Princess Persephone tomorrow.’ That caused her to drag her eyes back to the remaining garments on the floor. Well, that explained why the clothes were out… ‘I have to pack my things and I don’t know what to bring. I don’t know what is good enough to wear at the palace or what even I will need at the palace. I have everything I need here. How will I find it there? And Isi, oh how I wish you were coming with me. I don’t know how I can do this without you. I’m not ready to leave. I’m so sorry. I wish it was you instead of me. There’s nothing special about me—they should have picked you.’
Slightly wild-eyed, Ismene stared at Ariadne. Her sister went there… dragging Ismene along as her victim. Emotions were a disease if you let yourself be ruled by them. She blinked, and without thinking, she rushed forward and enveloped Ariadne in a hug. “Ari, breathe.” She murmured calmly. “You will be perfect.” You always are. That’s why the gods chose you. “You are going to hate it Ari,” She didn’t let her sister interject before she rushed to continue, “But you will learn to love it. You are going to be a retainer for Princess Persephone. You are going to be important. Do you hear me?” Pulling back enough to look at her younger twin, “You will succeed. It’s not going to matter if you have the right garments or if you are miserable at first because you will make the absolute very best out of what is given to you.” That was the way Ari was. She was a giver. Gave all of herself into a project to make it better for other people. Ismene sighed inwardly, she’d think about that later too. Right now she just wanted, Ari to stop crying before she had Ismene sniffling. That wetness at her eyes wasn’t tears… It was those flowers that she’d not wanted to be planted by the window.
“Ari, you shouldn’t be crying about this. This is an opportunity. Think about the places you’ll go and the people you’ll meet.” She paused and snuffled back her now runny nose. Staring at her sister’s face, she smiled faintly, “Think about your adventures you’ll have… and getting to tell me about them.” She pulled Ari into another tight hug and buried her face in her sister’s hair. She was going to miss her… she was going to miss her other half. For just a half a moment, she let herself slide into thoughts that she’d promised she wasn’t going to think about. This was Ari’s time to do great things. It could entirely change her sister’s fate. How could she be anything but happy when Ariadne was chasing a better life?
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Somewhere deep down in her mind she had known it wasn’t the boy who was causing her empathetic twin to have a small meltdown there in their room. There was however a larger part of Ismene who was not ready to think about all of this yet. She’d put all of her pain on a shelf to save it and examine it later, maybe tomorrow and if tomorrow didn’t work… then the day after. She wasn’t going to waste her thoughts right now on ‘what-ifs’ or ‘maybes’. What if Ariadne didn’t have someone around to watch over her? Or, What if Ismene got lonely? Those were the sort of things that she wasn’t going to think about, at least not right now.
Instead, she busied herself. Bending down and snatching up one piece of clothing, tossing it over her shoulder and then bending and snatching up another one. She couldn’t stand the garments on the floor. Usually, this wasn’t such an issue but it felt today like a heavyweight that was sinking on her. Why had Ari thrown them onto the floor?
Her twin burst into full water work mode generating a bewildered stare from Ismene. How could she help? How could she comfort Ari? Her eyes flashed about the room again. Isi was a turner. If she didn’t like it, then she didn’t deal with it. It wasn’t a sure plan there were occasions that she was backed into a corner and forced to confront the things she didn’t want to. This was looking like it was going to be one of those times.
‘It’s not the boy.’ Ari hiccuped. A corner of Ismene’s lip crept downward. They were getting dangerously close to emotional territory. ‘Oh, Isi….I am packing. I have to leave with Princess Persephone tomorrow.’ That caused her to drag her eyes back to the remaining garments on the floor. Well, that explained why the clothes were out… ‘I have to pack my things and I don’t know what to bring. I don’t know what is good enough to wear at the palace or what even I will need at the palace. I have everything I need here. How will I find it there? And Isi, oh how I wish you were coming with me. I don’t know how I can do this without you. I’m not ready to leave. I’m so sorry. I wish it was you instead of me. There’s nothing special about me—they should have picked you.’
Slightly wild-eyed, Ismene stared at Ariadne. Her sister went there… dragging Ismene along as her victim. Emotions were a disease if you let yourself be ruled by them. She blinked, and without thinking, she rushed forward and enveloped Ariadne in a hug. “Ari, breathe.” She murmured calmly. “You will be perfect.” You always are. That’s why the gods chose you. “You are going to hate it Ari,” She didn’t let her sister interject before she rushed to continue, “But you will learn to love it. You are going to be a retainer for Princess Persephone. You are going to be important. Do you hear me?” Pulling back enough to look at her younger twin, “You will succeed. It’s not going to matter if you have the right garments or if you are miserable at first because you will make the absolute very best out of what is given to you.” That was the way Ari was. She was a giver. Gave all of herself into a project to make it better for other people. Ismene sighed inwardly, she’d think about that later too. Right now she just wanted, Ari to stop crying before she had Ismene sniffling. That wetness at her eyes wasn’t tears… It was those flowers that she’d not wanted to be planted by the window.
“Ari, you shouldn’t be crying about this. This is an opportunity. Think about the places you’ll go and the people you’ll meet.” She paused and snuffled back her now runny nose. Staring at her sister’s face, she smiled faintly, “Think about your adventures you’ll have… and getting to tell me about them.” She pulled Ari into another tight hug and buried her face in her sister’s hair. She was going to miss her… she was going to miss her other half. For just a half a moment, she let herself slide into thoughts that she’d promised she wasn’t going to think about. This was Ari’s time to do great things. It could entirely change her sister’s fate. How could she be anything but happy when Ariadne was chasing a better life?
Somewhere deep down in her mind she had known it wasn’t the boy who was causing her empathetic twin to have a small meltdown there in their room. There was however a larger part of Ismene who was not ready to think about all of this yet. She’d put all of her pain on a shelf to save it and examine it later, maybe tomorrow and if tomorrow didn’t work… then the day after. She wasn’t going to waste her thoughts right now on ‘what-ifs’ or ‘maybes’. What if Ariadne didn’t have someone around to watch over her? Or, What if Ismene got lonely? Those were the sort of things that she wasn’t going to think about, at least not right now.
Instead, she busied herself. Bending down and snatching up one piece of clothing, tossing it over her shoulder and then bending and snatching up another one. She couldn’t stand the garments on the floor. Usually, this wasn’t such an issue but it felt today like a heavyweight that was sinking on her. Why had Ari thrown them onto the floor?
Her twin burst into full water work mode generating a bewildered stare from Ismene. How could she help? How could she comfort Ari? Her eyes flashed about the room again. Isi was a turner. If she didn’t like it, then she didn’t deal with it. It wasn’t a sure plan there were occasions that she was backed into a corner and forced to confront the things she didn’t want to. This was looking like it was going to be one of those times.
‘It’s not the boy.’ Ari hiccuped. A corner of Ismene’s lip crept downward. They were getting dangerously close to emotional territory. ‘Oh, Isi….I am packing. I have to leave with Princess Persephone tomorrow.’ That caused her to drag her eyes back to the remaining garments on the floor. Well, that explained why the clothes were out… ‘I have to pack my things and I don’t know what to bring. I don’t know what is good enough to wear at the palace or what even I will need at the palace. I have everything I need here. How will I find it there? And Isi, oh how I wish you were coming with me. I don’t know how I can do this without you. I’m not ready to leave. I’m so sorry. I wish it was you instead of me. There’s nothing special about me—they should have picked you.’
Slightly wild-eyed, Ismene stared at Ariadne. Her sister went there… dragging Ismene along as her victim. Emotions were a disease if you let yourself be ruled by them. She blinked, and without thinking, she rushed forward and enveloped Ariadne in a hug. “Ari, breathe.” She murmured calmly. “You will be perfect.” You always are. That’s why the gods chose you. “You are going to hate it Ari,” She didn’t let her sister interject before she rushed to continue, “But you will learn to love it. You are going to be a retainer for Princess Persephone. You are going to be important. Do you hear me?” Pulling back enough to look at her younger twin, “You will succeed. It’s not going to matter if you have the right garments or if you are miserable at first because you will make the absolute very best out of what is given to you.” That was the way Ari was. She was a giver. Gave all of herself into a project to make it better for other people. Ismene sighed inwardly, she’d think about that later too. Right now she just wanted, Ari to stop crying before she had Ismene sniffling. That wetness at her eyes wasn’t tears… It was those flowers that she’d not wanted to be planted by the window.
“Ari, you shouldn’t be crying about this. This is an opportunity. Think about the places you’ll go and the people you’ll meet.” She paused and snuffled back her now runny nose. Staring at her sister’s face, she smiled faintly, “Think about your adventures you’ll have… and getting to tell me about them.” She pulled Ari into another tight hug and buried her face in her sister’s hair. She was going to miss her… she was going to miss her other half. For just a half a moment, she let herself slide into thoughts that she’d promised she wasn’t going to think about. This was Ari’s time to do great things. It could entirely change her sister’s fate. How could she be anything but happy when Ariadne was chasing a better life?
As a father, Hector had grown used to shielding most of his own worries and concerns away from the girls. He was damn good at it by now, writing off any concern he ever had about their life and their status as just some worry from the barracks, often picking some tiny frustration from the day, waving it off, and then turning to happier thoughts for their sake.
With each passing day, it had grown a little bit harder, especially knowing the new normal that would begin in their lives the very next day.
It was too good of an opportunity, better than anyone of his station, his past, or his upbringing could have ever deserved. It may have been an easier change to swallow if it was something he could do, but instead...it was for Ariadne. It would change her life, her prospects. She would be cared for in a Palace among nobles and royalty in a way that he could never, ever have fully provided for her. Gods, he had done his best for their small family - making their way on his soldier's pay and his brother's pay as a sailor - but it had always been hard. Despite how much he knew fractures in their family had hurt in the past, there was no escaping the fact that this was a good thing - despite how much he would miss one of the two halves of his heart.
There was no way for him to know that Ismene was processing the issue of the next day the same way he did, placing it aside to be dealt with privately, not during sunlight hours. It was the way he always managed things - handle what is before you and, if the proper time and place should ever arrive, process through things.
Drifting from their main living quarters into the covered courtyard and up the stairs towards the bedroom quarters, he could hear the familiar cadence of their two voices - a sound he knew he would miss - but immediately recognized the tone.
Slowing his steps, he heard Ari's sniffles - because it was alway Ari who shed tears, rarely Isi - and caught part of her tearful words. He loitered outside of the cracked door, listening a moment.
'...will need at the palace. I have everything I need here. How will I find it there? And Isi, oh how I wish you were coming with me. I don’t know how I can do this without you. I’m not ready to leave. I’m so sorry. I wish it was you instead of me. There’s nothing special about me—they should have picked you.'
Two years ago, in the war, Hector had taken an Egyptian spear to the side - an agonizing, near-fatal wound, poisoned by the filth of the desert sands. He nearly paid the ferryman and crossed into Hades realm, but the gods chose for him to remain - for his girls, he liked to believe. Hearing her words, brimming with nubile fear and emotion, undoubtedly accompanied by her ruddy, tear-stained cheeks, it felt as if he had been struck down once again - this time directly through his heart.
For the briefest moments, he questioned it all, wondering if this was the right thing at all in the end. She was only ten. Boys did not even leave for soldiering until they were twelve or older. With his hand placed on the doorframe, listening to her, there was slight tightness around his own eyes and he could feel the downturn of his lips pressing lines against their corners and into his chin.
Then, Ismene spoke.
"Ari, breathe. You will be perfect. You are going to hate it Ari, but you will learn to love it. You are going to be a retainer for Princess Persephone. You are going to be important. Do you hear me?"
Hector had to stifle a soft, emotional laugh as he heard his own, small likeness comforting her sister...in her way. Shaking his head, a sense of pride painting over the questions that he posed to himself, a soft smile picked away at the lines pressing into his skin, resetting his expression.
"You will succeed. It’s not going to matter if you have the right garments or if you are miserable at first because you will make the absolute very best out of what is given to you. Ari, you shouldn’t be crying about this. This is an opportunity. Think about the places you’ll go and the people you’ll meet. Think about your adventures you’ll have… and getting to tell me about them."
Hector's expression fell again, slightly, realizing that Ismene made a promise that she might not exactly get to keep with Ariadne in that moment. Yes, he ventured back and forth to the capital on official business, but it was quite a ride that needed to be done quickly - easier on horseback than by carriage, and cheaper too. Did he have the heart to tell Ismene that it would not be often to see her twin unless the royal retinue and retainers attended to their home in Arcana?
As both he and his daughter did, he shelved the idea, not willing to face that in this moment as he leaned away from the wall. There was a slight lull in their words, and he took a moment to rap his knuckles against the wooden door, hardly waiting a breath before slowly pushing it open and leaning his head in, seeing them in an embrace.
"Hey," he started softly, his voice fatherly and light as he asked it, knowing the answer was no in that moment but that both young girls were likely too prideful to admit it. He looked around at the scattered fabrics and accessories across the floor and took a few steps in. Putting a hand out against the wall, he used it to support himself down to the ground, the scar-tissue and damaged muscles in his torso protesting in the movement as he lowered himself to the ground, matching their levels.
"Come here....come here," he said, his legs now sprawled out across the floor in as close to comfort as he could imagine as he offered out his arms to them, his fingers beckoning lightly to whichever one would come to him first. "It's going to be okay, it will. Come now...talk to me...both of you."
Even if he had not been lingering outside the door to hear, he would have known Ari's mind just by seeing her face and knowing that an embrace was often enough comfort to soothe most of her heartache. Ismene had formed more and more a mind of her own, building upon her birth-given boldness, but there was no missing the emotion glistening in her eyes too, which he was not about to let slide without at least doing his part to help it. As such, he raised a slight brow to her inevitable protest, as if to ask if she would really be so stubborn as to not come and sit with her father and sister.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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As a father, Hector had grown used to shielding most of his own worries and concerns away from the girls. He was damn good at it by now, writing off any concern he ever had about their life and their status as just some worry from the barracks, often picking some tiny frustration from the day, waving it off, and then turning to happier thoughts for their sake.
With each passing day, it had grown a little bit harder, especially knowing the new normal that would begin in their lives the very next day.
It was too good of an opportunity, better than anyone of his station, his past, or his upbringing could have ever deserved. It may have been an easier change to swallow if it was something he could do, but instead...it was for Ariadne. It would change her life, her prospects. She would be cared for in a Palace among nobles and royalty in a way that he could never, ever have fully provided for her. Gods, he had done his best for their small family - making their way on his soldier's pay and his brother's pay as a sailor - but it had always been hard. Despite how much he knew fractures in their family had hurt in the past, there was no escaping the fact that this was a good thing - despite how much he would miss one of the two halves of his heart.
There was no way for him to know that Ismene was processing the issue of the next day the same way he did, placing it aside to be dealt with privately, not during sunlight hours. It was the way he always managed things - handle what is before you and, if the proper time and place should ever arrive, process through things.
Drifting from their main living quarters into the covered courtyard and up the stairs towards the bedroom quarters, he could hear the familiar cadence of their two voices - a sound he knew he would miss - but immediately recognized the tone.
Slowing his steps, he heard Ari's sniffles - because it was alway Ari who shed tears, rarely Isi - and caught part of her tearful words. He loitered outside of the cracked door, listening a moment.
'...will need at the palace. I have everything I need here. How will I find it there? And Isi, oh how I wish you were coming with me. I don’t know how I can do this without you. I’m not ready to leave. I’m so sorry. I wish it was you instead of me. There’s nothing special about me—they should have picked you.'
Two years ago, in the war, Hector had taken an Egyptian spear to the side - an agonizing, near-fatal wound, poisoned by the filth of the desert sands. He nearly paid the ferryman and crossed into Hades realm, but the gods chose for him to remain - for his girls, he liked to believe. Hearing her words, brimming with nubile fear and emotion, undoubtedly accompanied by her ruddy, tear-stained cheeks, it felt as if he had been struck down once again - this time directly through his heart.
For the briefest moments, he questioned it all, wondering if this was the right thing at all in the end. She was only ten. Boys did not even leave for soldiering until they were twelve or older. With his hand placed on the doorframe, listening to her, there was slight tightness around his own eyes and he could feel the downturn of his lips pressing lines against their corners and into his chin.
Then, Ismene spoke.
"Ari, breathe. You will be perfect. You are going to hate it Ari, but you will learn to love it. You are going to be a retainer for Princess Persephone. You are going to be important. Do you hear me?"
Hector had to stifle a soft, emotional laugh as he heard his own, small likeness comforting her sister...in her way. Shaking his head, a sense of pride painting over the questions that he posed to himself, a soft smile picked away at the lines pressing into his skin, resetting his expression.
"You will succeed. It’s not going to matter if you have the right garments or if you are miserable at first because you will make the absolute very best out of what is given to you. Ari, you shouldn’t be crying about this. This is an opportunity. Think about the places you’ll go and the people you’ll meet. Think about your adventures you’ll have… and getting to tell me about them."
Hector's expression fell again, slightly, realizing that Ismene made a promise that she might not exactly get to keep with Ariadne in that moment. Yes, he ventured back and forth to the capital on official business, but it was quite a ride that needed to be done quickly - easier on horseback than by carriage, and cheaper too. Did he have the heart to tell Ismene that it would not be often to see her twin unless the royal retinue and retainers attended to their home in Arcana?
As both he and his daughter did, he shelved the idea, not willing to face that in this moment as he leaned away from the wall. There was a slight lull in their words, and he took a moment to rap his knuckles against the wooden door, hardly waiting a breath before slowly pushing it open and leaning his head in, seeing them in an embrace.
"Hey," he started softly, his voice fatherly and light as he asked it, knowing the answer was no in that moment but that both young girls were likely too prideful to admit it. He looked around at the scattered fabrics and accessories across the floor and took a few steps in. Putting a hand out against the wall, he used it to support himself down to the ground, the scar-tissue and damaged muscles in his torso protesting in the movement as he lowered himself to the ground, matching their levels.
"Come here....come here," he said, his legs now sprawled out across the floor in as close to comfort as he could imagine as he offered out his arms to them, his fingers beckoning lightly to whichever one would come to him first. "It's going to be okay, it will. Come now...talk to me...both of you."
Even if he had not been lingering outside the door to hear, he would have known Ari's mind just by seeing her face and knowing that an embrace was often enough comfort to soothe most of her heartache. Ismene had formed more and more a mind of her own, building upon her birth-given boldness, but there was no missing the emotion glistening in her eyes too, which he was not about to let slide without at least doing his part to help it. As such, he raised a slight brow to her inevitable protest, as if to ask if she would really be so stubborn as to not come and sit with her father and sister.
As a father, Hector had grown used to shielding most of his own worries and concerns away from the girls. He was damn good at it by now, writing off any concern he ever had about their life and their status as just some worry from the barracks, often picking some tiny frustration from the day, waving it off, and then turning to happier thoughts for their sake.
With each passing day, it had grown a little bit harder, especially knowing the new normal that would begin in their lives the very next day.
It was too good of an opportunity, better than anyone of his station, his past, or his upbringing could have ever deserved. It may have been an easier change to swallow if it was something he could do, but instead...it was for Ariadne. It would change her life, her prospects. She would be cared for in a Palace among nobles and royalty in a way that he could never, ever have fully provided for her. Gods, he had done his best for their small family - making their way on his soldier's pay and his brother's pay as a sailor - but it had always been hard. Despite how much he knew fractures in their family had hurt in the past, there was no escaping the fact that this was a good thing - despite how much he would miss one of the two halves of his heart.
There was no way for him to know that Ismene was processing the issue of the next day the same way he did, placing it aside to be dealt with privately, not during sunlight hours. It was the way he always managed things - handle what is before you and, if the proper time and place should ever arrive, process through things.
Drifting from their main living quarters into the covered courtyard and up the stairs towards the bedroom quarters, he could hear the familiar cadence of their two voices - a sound he knew he would miss - but immediately recognized the tone.
Slowing his steps, he heard Ari's sniffles - because it was alway Ari who shed tears, rarely Isi - and caught part of her tearful words. He loitered outside of the cracked door, listening a moment.
'...will need at the palace. I have everything I need here. How will I find it there? And Isi, oh how I wish you were coming with me. I don’t know how I can do this without you. I’m not ready to leave. I’m so sorry. I wish it was you instead of me. There’s nothing special about me—they should have picked you.'
Two years ago, in the war, Hector had taken an Egyptian spear to the side - an agonizing, near-fatal wound, poisoned by the filth of the desert sands. He nearly paid the ferryman and crossed into Hades realm, but the gods chose for him to remain - for his girls, he liked to believe. Hearing her words, brimming with nubile fear and emotion, undoubtedly accompanied by her ruddy, tear-stained cheeks, it felt as if he had been struck down once again - this time directly through his heart.
For the briefest moments, he questioned it all, wondering if this was the right thing at all in the end. She was only ten. Boys did not even leave for soldiering until they were twelve or older. With his hand placed on the doorframe, listening to her, there was slight tightness around his own eyes and he could feel the downturn of his lips pressing lines against their corners and into his chin.
Then, Ismene spoke.
"Ari, breathe. You will be perfect. You are going to hate it Ari, but you will learn to love it. You are going to be a retainer for Princess Persephone. You are going to be important. Do you hear me?"
Hector had to stifle a soft, emotional laugh as he heard his own, small likeness comforting her sister...in her way. Shaking his head, a sense of pride painting over the questions that he posed to himself, a soft smile picked away at the lines pressing into his skin, resetting his expression.
"You will succeed. It’s not going to matter if you have the right garments or if you are miserable at first because you will make the absolute very best out of what is given to you. Ari, you shouldn’t be crying about this. This is an opportunity. Think about the places you’ll go and the people you’ll meet. Think about your adventures you’ll have… and getting to tell me about them."
Hector's expression fell again, slightly, realizing that Ismene made a promise that she might not exactly get to keep with Ariadne in that moment. Yes, he ventured back and forth to the capital on official business, but it was quite a ride that needed to be done quickly - easier on horseback than by carriage, and cheaper too. Did he have the heart to tell Ismene that it would not be often to see her twin unless the royal retinue and retainers attended to their home in Arcana?
As both he and his daughter did, he shelved the idea, not willing to face that in this moment as he leaned away from the wall. There was a slight lull in their words, and he took a moment to rap his knuckles against the wooden door, hardly waiting a breath before slowly pushing it open and leaning his head in, seeing them in an embrace.
"Hey," he started softly, his voice fatherly and light as he asked it, knowing the answer was no in that moment but that both young girls were likely too prideful to admit it. He looked around at the scattered fabrics and accessories across the floor and took a few steps in. Putting a hand out against the wall, he used it to support himself down to the ground, the scar-tissue and damaged muscles in his torso protesting in the movement as he lowered himself to the ground, matching their levels.
"Come here....come here," he said, his legs now sprawled out across the floor in as close to comfort as he could imagine as he offered out his arms to them, his fingers beckoning lightly to whichever one would come to him first. "It's going to be okay, it will. Come now...talk to me...both of you."
Even if he had not been lingering outside the door to hear, he would have known Ari's mind just by seeing her face and knowing that an embrace was often enough comfort to soothe most of her heartache. Ismene had formed more and more a mind of her own, building upon her birth-given boldness, but there was no missing the emotion glistening in her eyes too, which he was not about to let slide without at least doing his part to help it. As such, he raised a slight brow to her inevitable protest, as if to ask if she would really be so stubborn as to not come and sit with her father and sister.
The crying twin didn’t mean to be such a burden. She knew that Isi didn’t have the same kinds of emotions that she did. Or at least, the same outward display of them. Generally, Ismene was the calm, level headed one of the pair. She didn’t cry – or at least, Ari hadn’t remembered her crying ever – and she definitely did not display all her emotions on her face like Ari. Sometimes the younger twin was jealous of her sister’s ability to be so calm. She was far more practical than Ari was. Yet, other times Ari wondered if her sister wasn’t crying for a reason. Or if she cried privately. Ari ached to think of that – for all the times that Isi had comforted her, she wanted to return the favor at least once. She wished she could take care of her twin like the other girl was always taking care of her.
Ari found herself slowing as Isi wrapped her arms around her and spoke into her ear. She always knew exactly what to say. Another reason why she would be a good aid to Princess Persephone. Far better than Ari would. But Ari was nothing if not a good listener and she let her sister’s words enter into her presence. As Ismene pulled back to look at her seriously, Ariadne gave a small nod. She wasn’t entirely sure that she believed her sister yet, but she knew that at least some of it would have to be true. She could do what her sister was saying, even if she didn’t think so in the moment. There had to be some reason she was chosen. “Yes, I’ll write to you every day,” she nodded fervently, wanting to share whatever adventures Isi thought she might have with her.
Her tears were slowing, but her eyes widened as she noticed a hint of water in the corner of her twin’s eyes. Ismene sniffled a bit then, but before Ari could do anything, the girl pulled her in for a hug. This time, Ari hugged back with all her might, wanting to give all her comfort and love into her sister. For this was more than about feeling inadequate. She knew she could learn – she had always done so before. This was about missing her family. She had never spent so much time apart from them, especially her twin. Although they were different, Isi was still her sister and Ari would love her forever. She hated the thought of leaving her behind.
Before she could respond further to her sister, there was a gentle knock at the door and their father’s voice to accompany it. Ari tried to give him a smile, but was sure she failed miserably at it. Instead, she felt her lower lip quiver at the sight of him. Not only would she miss her twin, but she would miss her father too. And this time it was different because she was the one leaving, not him.
Ari half disentangled herself from Isi and half dragged her closer to their father as he took his seat with them on the floor. His arms were beckoning and they were what he wanted right now. She didn’t want to let go of her sister either. Ari let herself crawl into the space next to him and curled up in his warm embrace. She was the one on the floor crying, so it felt like it was up to her to say something. “I’m going to miss you both so much,” she said, unable to hold back a sniffle. “And Uncle Gregor.” She paused, trying to not let all of her thoughts tumble out to her father like they had for her twin. “I’ve never been away so far before. Who will I talk to when I’m lonely or sad?” For there, the truth of it appeared.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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The crying twin didn’t mean to be such a burden. She knew that Isi didn’t have the same kinds of emotions that she did. Or at least, the same outward display of them. Generally, Ismene was the calm, level headed one of the pair. She didn’t cry – or at least, Ari hadn’t remembered her crying ever – and she definitely did not display all her emotions on her face like Ari. Sometimes the younger twin was jealous of her sister’s ability to be so calm. She was far more practical than Ari was. Yet, other times Ari wondered if her sister wasn’t crying for a reason. Or if she cried privately. Ari ached to think of that – for all the times that Isi had comforted her, she wanted to return the favor at least once. She wished she could take care of her twin like the other girl was always taking care of her.
Ari found herself slowing as Isi wrapped her arms around her and spoke into her ear. She always knew exactly what to say. Another reason why she would be a good aid to Princess Persephone. Far better than Ari would. But Ari was nothing if not a good listener and she let her sister’s words enter into her presence. As Ismene pulled back to look at her seriously, Ariadne gave a small nod. She wasn’t entirely sure that she believed her sister yet, but she knew that at least some of it would have to be true. She could do what her sister was saying, even if she didn’t think so in the moment. There had to be some reason she was chosen. “Yes, I’ll write to you every day,” she nodded fervently, wanting to share whatever adventures Isi thought she might have with her.
Her tears were slowing, but her eyes widened as she noticed a hint of water in the corner of her twin’s eyes. Ismene sniffled a bit then, but before Ari could do anything, the girl pulled her in for a hug. This time, Ari hugged back with all her might, wanting to give all her comfort and love into her sister. For this was more than about feeling inadequate. She knew she could learn – she had always done so before. This was about missing her family. She had never spent so much time apart from them, especially her twin. Although they were different, Isi was still her sister and Ari would love her forever. She hated the thought of leaving her behind.
Before she could respond further to her sister, there was a gentle knock at the door and their father’s voice to accompany it. Ari tried to give him a smile, but was sure she failed miserably at it. Instead, she felt her lower lip quiver at the sight of him. Not only would she miss her twin, but she would miss her father too. And this time it was different because she was the one leaving, not him.
Ari half disentangled herself from Isi and half dragged her closer to their father as he took his seat with them on the floor. His arms were beckoning and they were what he wanted right now. She didn’t want to let go of her sister either. Ari let herself crawl into the space next to him and curled up in his warm embrace. She was the one on the floor crying, so it felt like it was up to her to say something. “I’m going to miss you both so much,” she said, unable to hold back a sniffle. “And Uncle Gregor.” She paused, trying to not let all of her thoughts tumble out to her father like they had for her twin. “I’ve never been away so far before. Who will I talk to when I’m lonely or sad?” For there, the truth of it appeared.
The crying twin didn’t mean to be such a burden. She knew that Isi didn’t have the same kinds of emotions that she did. Or at least, the same outward display of them. Generally, Ismene was the calm, level headed one of the pair. She didn’t cry – or at least, Ari hadn’t remembered her crying ever – and she definitely did not display all her emotions on her face like Ari. Sometimes the younger twin was jealous of her sister’s ability to be so calm. She was far more practical than Ari was. Yet, other times Ari wondered if her sister wasn’t crying for a reason. Or if she cried privately. Ari ached to think of that – for all the times that Isi had comforted her, she wanted to return the favor at least once. She wished she could take care of her twin like the other girl was always taking care of her.
Ari found herself slowing as Isi wrapped her arms around her and spoke into her ear. She always knew exactly what to say. Another reason why she would be a good aid to Princess Persephone. Far better than Ari would. But Ari was nothing if not a good listener and she let her sister’s words enter into her presence. As Ismene pulled back to look at her seriously, Ariadne gave a small nod. She wasn’t entirely sure that she believed her sister yet, but she knew that at least some of it would have to be true. She could do what her sister was saying, even if she didn’t think so in the moment. There had to be some reason she was chosen. “Yes, I’ll write to you every day,” she nodded fervently, wanting to share whatever adventures Isi thought she might have with her.
Her tears were slowing, but her eyes widened as she noticed a hint of water in the corner of her twin’s eyes. Ismene sniffled a bit then, but before Ari could do anything, the girl pulled her in for a hug. This time, Ari hugged back with all her might, wanting to give all her comfort and love into her sister. For this was more than about feeling inadequate. She knew she could learn – she had always done so before. This was about missing her family. She had never spent so much time apart from them, especially her twin. Although they were different, Isi was still her sister and Ari would love her forever. She hated the thought of leaving her behind.
Before she could respond further to her sister, there was a gentle knock at the door and their father’s voice to accompany it. Ari tried to give him a smile, but was sure she failed miserably at it. Instead, she felt her lower lip quiver at the sight of him. Not only would she miss her twin, but she would miss her father too. And this time it was different because she was the one leaving, not him.
Ari half disentangled herself from Isi and half dragged her closer to their father as he took his seat with them on the floor. His arms were beckoning and they were what he wanted right now. She didn’t want to let go of her sister either. Ari let herself crawl into the space next to him and curled up in his warm embrace. She was the one on the floor crying, so it felt like it was up to her to say something. “I’m going to miss you both so much,” she said, unable to hold back a sniffle. “And Uncle Gregor.” She paused, trying to not let all of her thoughts tumble out to her father like they had for her twin. “I’ve never been away so far before. Who will I talk to when I’m lonely or sad?” For there, the truth of it appeared.
If you wanted something, you found a way to get it. That was Ismene’s philosophy. It never crossed her mind that she wouldn’t be able to see her sister if her sister needed her. If she believed for half of a moment that her sister needed her, she would find a way to get to her. If their father thought differently, he thoroughly underestimated his oldest twin daughter. Ismene’s stubbornness could move mountains, finding a way to be with Ariadne was a small feat. Let the world try and stop her.
‘Yes, I’ll write to you every day.’ Pressing her lips together, she stared at her twin for a long moment. Ariadne was nodding fervently but she wanted… No, she needed her twin to pull herself together.
She’d started to relax just a fraction as her sister hugged her tighter, thinking that maybe the worst part of all of this was over but then the knock at the door. Their father’s voice softly spoke as he stepped into the room surveying the same mess that Ismene had been trying to pick up. Ismene didn’t meet his eyes, instead her eyes focused on the wall or the floor… or somewhere in between. It was everything she could do to hold herself together. She resented the fact that a soft word from him was enough to cause her barriers to start to crumble down.
Clenching her teeth, she was not going to lose control over her emotions. She was not a baby. She was not going to ball her eyes out because her sister was leaving her too. Pressing her lips together tightly, ‘Come here....come here.’ Ariadne was disentangling herself, sort of. Ismene let her arms go limp hoping Ariadne would just transfer her hug over to their father but her sister didn’t fully disentangle herself from her and pulled the more reluctant Ismene along with her to their father. Were they doing this intentionally? Did they want to see her crying?! This wasn’t fun. She halfheartedly drug her feet along behind her sister. ‘It's going to be okay, it will. Come now...talk to me...both of you.’
This caused her to lift her eyes up finally to meet her father’s gaze. How did he know she was avoiding this? Her eyes narrowed slightly at him. It was eerie how he knew what she was doing before she even did anything. Not that she was really that great at hiding her dislike for things, but it didn’t stop her from thinking she was.
‘I’m going to miss you both so much,’ Ariadne easily opened her heart up and just spilled out what she was feeling. Ismene tried not to examine it too closely why she wasn’t able to do that too. ‘And Uncle Gregor.’ She could feel her father’s gaze on her, questioning her… challenging her to not ruin this for Ariadne. Oh! She hated that. Narrowing her eyes a little more, she took a slow step in towards him. He knew exactly what he was doing. And he knew she knew he knew what he was doing. ‘I’ve never been away so far before. Who will I talk to when I’m lonely or sad?’ She moved into her sister and father’s embrace finally and sighed defeatedly. She wasn’t easy to love, but she knew her father and sister did love her. It was the only reason, she relented and slipped into the awkward embrace. Burying her check against her father’s chest, she stared at her sister, “You just said you were going to write to me everyday... If you're lonely or sad, write it down to me.”
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If you wanted something, you found a way to get it. That was Ismene’s philosophy. It never crossed her mind that she wouldn’t be able to see her sister if her sister needed her. If she believed for half of a moment that her sister needed her, she would find a way to get to her. If their father thought differently, he thoroughly underestimated his oldest twin daughter. Ismene’s stubbornness could move mountains, finding a way to be with Ariadne was a small feat. Let the world try and stop her.
‘Yes, I’ll write to you every day.’ Pressing her lips together, she stared at her twin for a long moment. Ariadne was nodding fervently but she wanted… No, she needed her twin to pull herself together.
She’d started to relax just a fraction as her sister hugged her tighter, thinking that maybe the worst part of all of this was over but then the knock at the door. Their father’s voice softly spoke as he stepped into the room surveying the same mess that Ismene had been trying to pick up. Ismene didn’t meet his eyes, instead her eyes focused on the wall or the floor… or somewhere in between. It was everything she could do to hold herself together. She resented the fact that a soft word from him was enough to cause her barriers to start to crumble down.
Clenching her teeth, she was not going to lose control over her emotions. She was not a baby. She was not going to ball her eyes out because her sister was leaving her too. Pressing her lips together tightly, ‘Come here....come here.’ Ariadne was disentangling herself, sort of. Ismene let her arms go limp hoping Ariadne would just transfer her hug over to their father but her sister didn’t fully disentangle herself from her and pulled the more reluctant Ismene along with her to their father. Were they doing this intentionally? Did they want to see her crying?! This wasn’t fun. She halfheartedly drug her feet along behind her sister. ‘It's going to be okay, it will. Come now...talk to me...both of you.’
This caused her to lift her eyes up finally to meet her father’s gaze. How did he know she was avoiding this? Her eyes narrowed slightly at him. It was eerie how he knew what she was doing before she even did anything. Not that she was really that great at hiding her dislike for things, but it didn’t stop her from thinking she was.
‘I’m going to miss you both so much,’ Ariadne easily opened her heart up and just spilled out what she was feeling. Ismene tried not to examine it too closely why she wasn’t able to do that too. ‘And Uncle Gregor.’ She could feel her father’s gaze on her, questioning her… challenging her to not ruin this for Ariadne. Oh! She hated that. Narrowing her eyes a little more, she took a slow step in towards him. He knew exactly what he was doing. And he knew she knew he knew what he was doing. ‘I’ve never been away so far before. Who will I talk to when I’m lonely or sad?’ She moved into her sister and father’s embrace finally and sighed defeatedly. She wasn’t easy to love, but she knew her father and sister did love her. It was the only reason, she relented and slipped into the awkward embrace. Burying her check against her father’s chest, she stared at her sister, “You just said you were going to write to me everyday... If you're lonely or sad, write it down to me.”
If you wanted something, you found a way to get it. That was Ismene’s philosophy. It never crossed her mind that she wouldn’t be able to see her sister if her sister needed her. If she believed for half of a moment that her sister needed her, she would find a way to get to her. If their father thought differently, he thoroughly underestimated his oldest twin daughter. Ismene’s stubbornness could move mountains, finding a way to be with Ariadne was a small feat. Let the world try and stop her.
‘Yes, I’ll write to you every day.’ Pressing her lips together, she stared at her twin for a long moment. Ariadne was nodding fervently but she wanted… No, she needed her twin to pull herself together.
She’d started to relax just a fraction as her sister hugged her tighter, thinking that maybe the worst part of all of this was over but then the knock at the door. Their father’s voice softly spoke as he stepped into the room surveying the same mess that Ismene had been trying to pick up. Ismene didn’t meet his eyes, instead her eyes focused on the wall or the floor… or somewhere in between. It was everything she could do to hold herself together. She resented the fact that a soft word from him was enough to cause her barriers to start to crumble down.
Clenching her teeth, she was not going to lose control over her emotions. She was not a baby. She was not going to ball her eyes out because her sister was leaving her too. Pressing her lips together tightly, ‘Come here....come here.’ Ariadne was disentangling herself, sort of. Ismene let her arms go limp hoping Ariadne would just transfer her hug over to their father but her sister didn’t fully disentangle herself from her and pulled the more reluctant Ismene along with her to their father. Were they doing this intentionally? Did they want to see her crying?! This wasn’t fun. She halfheartedly drug her feet along behind her sister. ‘It's going to be okay, it will. Come now...talk to me...both of you.’
This caused her to lift her eyes up finally to meet her father’s gaze. How did he know she was avoiding this? Her eyes narrowed slightly at him. It was eerie how he knew what she was doing before she even did anything. Not that she was really that great at hiding her dislike for things, but it didn’t stop her from thinking she was.
‘I’m going to miss you both so much,’ Ariadne easily opened her heart up and just spilled out what she was feeling. Ismene tried not to examine it too closely why she wasn’t able to do that too. ‘And Uncle Gregor.’ She could feel her father’s gaze on her, questioning her… challenging her to not ruin this for Ariadne. Oh! She hated that. Narrowing her eyes a little more, she took a slow step in towards him. He knew exactly what he was doing. And he knew she knew he knew what he was doing. ‘I’ve never been away so far before. Who will I talk to when I’m lonely or sad?’ She moved into her sister and father’s embrace finally and sighed defeatedly. She wasn’t easy to love, but she knew her father and sister did love her. It was the only reason, she relented and slipped into the awkward embrace. Burying her check against her father’s chest, she stared at her sister, “You just said you were going to write to me everyday... If you're lonely or sad, write it down to me.”
Though far from being considered an old man, Hector could look back on how life was a decade ago - how he was then, with few real worries or cares in the world apart from ensuring that he and his brother had enough food in their bellies. Even before the girls, he was forced to grow up quickly, becoming the breadwinner for the household until Gregor grew old enough to work aboard the ships. Even then, with that pressure relieved slightly, he had little he truly could have said he cared about.
That changed entirely when the girls came into the world. How could he have ever known that the light of the sun that rose each morning could have been replaced simply by looking into their eyes? They needed him, and as selfish of a thought as it was, it motivated him to be needed. Beyond that, there was nothing like the love shared between the three of them.
Ariadne scooted across the floor and tucked herself underneath his arm. A soft, almost inaudible grunt escaped him as a single, bony elbow managed to hit him square on his war wound, but he masked it as a slightly stilted sigh, turning his grimace into a subtle smile. After all, Ismene had not fully relinquished to the emotion of the moment, though years of careful study and knowledge of his own mannerisms knew that it was only a matter of time.
Hector would never know if he was a good father or not. The way his parents raised himself and his brother shared small moments of tenderness like this on the rarest of occasions. It was different raising boys, he supposed, gaining only tenderness from his mother and a clap on the shoulder of encouragement from his father. The emotions and tears that came with raising girls could be exhausting at times, but there was no denying that raising them had softened his harder edges into something that would be nearly unrecognizable on the training grounds.
As Ari spoke, his brows raised and he craned his head to try to glimpse her face. Her words were almost entirely muffled against the fabric across his chest, but the message was clear. It was only made clearer with Isi's bolder response.
"Exactly," Hector reassured, his fingers gently stroking the top of Ismene's head as if to thank her for the encouragement she offered her sister. As if respected Isi's desire to keep from appearing weak, he simply had a hand resting on the top of her head, as opposed to the way his arm wound around Ariadne, all but squeezing her close to him. Ari had always been the softer-souled one, the half of the duo who craved and gave more affection.
Hector sighed, pondering whatever thing could help ease the ache in his daughters heart. Fatherhood was entirely trial and error. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't, but all he did was try.
"Do you remember when I was away, and Uncle Gregor helped you both send me your letters and drawings, and I would write you back when I could? I missed you both so, so much back then, but your letters always made me feel better and made it easier to be in a new place. And..." Hector nudged Ari ever so slightly with his shoulder, urging her to look up at him briefly. "Between my visits to Athenia and the Xanthos visits here to Arcana, we will not go too long without seeing one another. Aaaaand...."
Hector added a mildly dramatic flourish to the word as he allowed his hand to take on the form of a small creature, allowing it to crawl across the top of Ismene's head and down her forehead a bit before taking his forefinger and booping the tip of her nose as he emphasized, "if this one can behave, I just might bring her along with me as well when I come to the capital."
Hector knew his proud daughter would be more than irritated at the childish, annoying gesture, and would likely swat his hand away. Irritating her was endlessly amusing for him, despite how he grew just as irritated when she turned it against him. Regardless, an irritated Isi would mean for an amused Ari, and all he wanted in that moment was to garner even the slightest smile or laugh from the girl.
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Though far from being considered an old man, Hector could look back on how life was a decade ago - how he was then, with few real worries or cares in the world apart from ensuring that he and his brother had enough food in their bellies. Even before the girls, he was forced to grow up quickly, becoming the breadwinner for the household until Gregor grew old enough to work aboard the ships. Even then, with that pressure relieved slightly, he had little he truly could have said he cared about.
That changed entirely when the girls came into the world. How could he have ever known that the light of the sun that rose each morning could have been replaced simply by looking into their eyes? They needed him, and as selfish of a thought as it was, it motivated him to be needed. Beyond that, there was nothing like the love shared between the three of them.
Ariadne scooted across the floor and tucked herself underneath his arm. A soft, almost inaudible grunt escaped him as a single, bony elbow managed to hit him square on his war wound, but he masked it as a slightly stilted sigh, turning his grimace into a subtle smile. After all, Ismene had not fully relinquished to the emotion of the moment, though years of careful study and knowledge of his own mannerisms knew that it was only a matter of time.
Hector would never know if he was a good father or not. The way his parents raised himself and his brother shared small moments of tenderness like this on the rarest of occasions. It was different raising boys, he supposed, gaining only tenderness from his mother and a clap on the shoulder of encouragement from his father. The emotions and tears that came with raising girls could be exhausting at times, but there was no denying that raising them had softened his harder edges into something that would be nearly unrecognizable on the training grounds.
As Ari spoke, his brows raised and he craned his head to try to glimpse her face. Her words were almost entirely muffled against the fabric across his chest, but the message was clear. It was only made clearer with Isi's bolder response.
"Exactly," Hector reassured, his fingers gently stroking the top of Ismene's head as if to thank her for the encouragement she offered her sister. As if respected Isi's desire to keep from appearing weak, he simply had a hand resting on the top of her head, as opposed to the way his arm wound around Ariadne, all but squeezing her close to him. Ari had always been the softer-souled one, the half of the duo who craved and gave more affection.
Hector sighed, pondering whatever thing could help ease the ache in his daughters heart. Fatherhood was entirely trial and error. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't, but all he did was try.
"Do you remember when I was away, and Uncle Gregor helped you both send me your letters and drawings, and I would write you back when I could? I missed you both so, so much back then, but your letters always made me feel better and made it easier to be in a new place. And..." Hector nudged Ari ever so slightly with his shoulder, urging her to look up at him briefly. "Between my visits to Athenia and the Xanthos visits here to Arcana, we will not go too long without seeing one another. Aaaaand...."
Hector added a mildly dramatic flourish to the word as he allowed his hand to take on the form of a small creature, allowing it to crawl across the top of Ismene's head and down her forehead a bit before taking his forefinger and booping the tip of her nose as he emphasized, "if this one can behave, I just might bring her along with me as well when I come to the capital."
Hector knew his proud daughter would be more than irritated at the childish, annoying gesture, and would likely swat his hand away. Irritating her was endlessly amusing for him, despite how he grew just as irritated when she turned it against him. Regardless, an irritated Isi would mean for an amused Ari, and all he wanted in that moment was to garner even the slightest smile or laugh from the girl.
Though far from being considered an old man, Hector could look back on how life was a decade ago - how he was then, with few real worries or cares in the world apart from ensuring that he and his brother had enough food in their bellies. Even before the girls, he was forced to grow up quickly, becoming the breadwinner for the household until Gregor grew old enough to work aboard the ships. Even then, with that pressure relieved slightly, he had little he truly could have said he cared about.
That changed entirely when the girls came into the world. How could he have ever known that the light of the sun that rose each morning could have been replaced simply by looking into their eyes? They needed him, and as selfish of a thought as it was, it motivated him to be needed. Beyond that, there was nothing like the love shared between the three of them.
Ariadne scooted across the floor and tucked herself underneath his arm. A soft, almost inaudible grunt escaped him as a single, bony elbow managed to hit him square on his war wound, but he masked it as a slightly stilted sigh, turning his grimace into a subtle smile. After all, Ismene had not fully relinquished to the emotion of the moment, though years of careful study and knowledge of his own mannerisms knew that it was only a matter of time.
Hector would never know if he was a good father or not. The way his parents raised himself and his brother shared small moments of tenderness like this on the rarest of occasions. It was different raising boys, he supposed, gaining only tenderness from his mother and a clap on the shoulder of encouragement from his father. The emotions and tears that came with raising girls could be exhausting at times, but there was no denying that raising them had softened his harder edges into something that would be nearly unrecognizable on the training grounds.
As Ari spoke, his brows raised and he craned his head to try to glimpse her face. Her words were almost entirely muffled against the fabric across his chest, but the message was clear. It was only made clearer with Isi's bolder response.
"Exactly," Hector reassured, his fingers gently stroking the top of Ismene's head as if to thank her for the encouragement she offered her sister. As if respected Isi's desire to keep from appearing weak, he simply had a hand resting on the top of her head, as opposed to the way his arm wound around Ariadne, all but squeezing her close to him. Ari had always been the softer-souled one, the half of the duo who craved and gave more affection.
Hector sighed, pondering whatever thing could help ease the ache in his daughters heart. Fatherhood was entirely trial and error. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't, but all he did was try.
"Do you remember when I was away, and Uncle Gregor helped you both send me your letters and drawings, and I would write you back when I could? I missed you both so, so much back then, but your letters always made me feel better and made it easier to be in a new place. And..." Hector nudged Ari ever so slightly with his shoulder, urging her to look up at him briefly. "Between my visits to Athenia and the Xanthos visits here to Arcana, we will not go too long without seeing one another. Aaaaand...."
Hector added a mildly dramatic flourish to the word as he allowed his hand to take on the form of a small creature, allowing it to crawl across the top of Ismene's head and down her forehead a bit before taking his forefinger and booping the tip of her nose as he emphasized, "if this one can behave, I just might bring her along with me as well when I come to the capital."
Hector knew his proud daughter would be more than irritated at the childish, annoying gesture, and would likely swat his hand away. Irritating her was endlessly amusing for him, despite how he grew just as irritated when she turned it against him. Regardless, an irritated Isi would mean for an amused Ari, and all he wanted in that moment was to garner even the slightest smile or laugh from the girl.
Oh how she would miss these moments, cuddled up with her father. That thought almost had Ari in tears yet again, but she stopped herself, not wanting everyone to think that she was weak. Instead, she burrowed further into her father’s embrace, one hand still holding tight to Isi. It would be so so hard to leave this tomorrow, she thought, but they were both right. She could do this. Or, she would pretend that she could do this until it was actually possible. The girl didn’t know how long that would take, but she would give it her best shot. And if, perhaps in a few months, it still wasn’t feeling right to her, she was sure that she would be allowed to change her mind. Surely it must be fine for her to come home when she could no longer do it.
With that seed planted in her mind, Ari started to calm down about everything. She could come home. She could come home whenever she wanted. Perhaps it would make her a failure, but not the worst failure. The only people who would really know would be her family and some people at court. And those people in the capital would likely forget about her sooner rather than later. Yes, it would be fine.
Ari smiled when her twin finally joined her, curled up in their father’s embrace. All was right with the world, if just for this moment. She loved it when they could be together like that. “I promise,” she said quietly, but firmly to Isi. She would write to her, especially when she was feeling the saddest feelings.
Hector started speaking them, reminding them what it was like when he was away. They were always writing or sending something to him. Even if they were never sure if he was going to get it. Even if they were not sure the next time that he was going to come home. Writing to him always made her feel better. It made her feel connected to him when he was far away.
She perked up a bit when he mentioned coming to visit. That would be nice too. If she could at least make it to their first visit, then she could come home after that and not feel like a failure. And their time apart couldn’t last so long. Surely they wouldn’t wait forever to visit. Ari’s eyes grew wide as their father started to make something with his hands, forcing it to crawl over her twin’s head. She started to giggle, knowing that Ari was sure to hate it just as much as Hector was going to love it. He was always trying to tease them in some way.
“Oh, Papa, bring her anyway!” she exclaimed, watching the interaction. “I want you both to come! Isi, promise you’ll behave when it’s time to visit. Don’t let Papa leave you behind.”
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Oh how she would miss these moments, cuddled up with her father. That thought almost had Ari in tears yet again, but she stopped herself, not wanting everyone to think that she was weak. Instead, she burrowed further into her father’s embrace, one hand still holding tight to Isi. It would be so so hard to leave this tomorrow, she thought, but they were both right. She could do this. Or, she would pretend that she could do this until it was actually possible. The girl didn’t know how long that would take, but she would give it her best shot. And if, perhaps in a few months, it still wasn’t feeling right to her, she was sure that she would be allowed to change her mind. Surely it must be fine for her to come home when she could no longer do it.
With that seed planted in her mind, Ari started to calm down about everything. She could come home. She could come home whenever she wanted. Perhaps it would make her a failure, but not the worst failure. The only people who would really know would be her family and some people at court. And those people in the capital would likely forget about her sooner rather than later. Yes, it would be fine.
Ari smiled when her twin finally joined her, curled up in their father’s embrace. All was right with the world, if just for this moment. She loved it when they could be together like that. “I promise,” she said quietly, but firmly to Isi. She would write to her, especially when she was feeling the saddest feelings.
Hector started speaking them, reminding them what it was like when he was away. They were always writing or sending something to him. Even if they were never sure if he was going to get it. Even if they were not sure the next time that he was going to come home. Writing to him always made her feel better. It made her feel connected to him when he was far away.
She perked up a bit when he mentioned coming to visit. That would be nice too. If she could at least make it to their first visit, then she could come home after that and not feel like a failure. And their time apart couldn’t last so long. Surely they wouldn’t wait forever to visit. Ari’s eyes grew wide as their father started to make something with his hands, forcing it to crawl over her twin’s head. She started to giggle, knowing that Ari was sure to hate it just as much as Hector was going to love it. He was always trying to tease them in some way.
“Oh, Papa, bring her anyway!” she exclaimed, watching the interaction. “I want you both to come! Isi, promise you’ll behave when it’s time to visit. Don’t let Papa leave you behind.”
Oh how she would miss these moments, cuddled up with her father. That thought almost had Ari in tears yet again, but she stopped herself, not wanting everyone to think that she was weak. Instead, she burrowed further into her father’s embrace, one hand still holding tight to Isi. It would be so so hard to leave this tomorrow, she thought, but they were both right. She could do this. Or, she would pretend that she could do this until it was actually possible. The girl didn’t know how long that would take, but she would give it her best shot. And if, perhaps in a few months, it still wasn’t feeling right to her, she was sure that she would be allowed to change her mind. Surely it must be fine for her to come home when she could no longer do it.
With that seed planted in her mind, Ari started to calm down about everything. She could come home. She could come home whenever she wanted. Perhaps it would make her a failure, but not the worst failure. The only people who would really know would be her family and some people at court. And those people in the capital would likely forget about her sooner rather than later. Yes, it would be fine.
Ari smiled when her twin finally joined her, curled up in their father’s embrace. All was right with the world, if just for this moment. She loved it when they could be together like that. “I promise,” she said quietly, but firmly to Isi. She would write to her, especially when she was feeling the saddest feelings.
Hector started speaking them, reminding them what it was like when he was away. They were always writing or sending something to him. Even if they were never sure if he was going to get it. Even if they were not sure the next time that he was going to come home. Writing to him always made her feel better. It made her feel connected to him when he was far away.
She perked up a bit when he mentioned coming to visit. That would be nice too. If she could at least make it to their first visit, then she could come home after that and not feel like a failure. And their time apart couldn’t last so long. Surely they wouldn’t wait forever to visit. Ari’s eyes grew wide as their father started to make something with his hands, forcing it to crawl over her twin’s head. She started to giggle, knowing that Ari was sure to hate it just as much as Hector was going to love it. He was always trying to tease them in some way.
“Oh, Papa, bring her anyway!” she exclaimed, watching the interaction. “I want you both to come! Isi, promise you’ll behave when it’s time to visit. Don’t let Papa leave you behind.”
Ismene allowed the rare moment of intimacy her father showered upon her and her sister but it was done for no one’s sake other than her sister’s. The depth of her affection for her family was endless, but somewhere along the way she’d been pushed out of the nest sooner than her sister had been… or perhaps would be. Children were observant creatures and aware of the actions of others to the extreme. It was ingrained in them to be such, mostly because learning was taught best by watching.
She had seen every tender touch or softness awarded her sister and at first when she was younger she couldn’t understand why they were treated differently… and then somewhere along the way that confusion turned into simply not caring what the reasons were. Somewhere along the way she’d accepted it as the way that life was and in the process had withdrawn her emotions deeper inside of herself.
Independent she may have been but somewhere along the way her strength had become less of a choice. Her father’s hand rested upon her head… there wasn’t any way he could truly know that Ismene struggled. She was careful and now that he seemed so dependent upon her being the harder cast of the twins she refused to let him think otherwise. It was getting to be ‘old hat’ for her.
Twisting her head up, she jutted her chin out and smiled encouragingly to Ariadne as her father brought up the letters that Uncle Gregor had once upon a time helped them craft for him while he was away. They had missed him so much, she’d missed him so much. It would be similar to that… he was right. They would make this work and her sister would be given the shot to be something more than either of them.
Her father’s fingers started crawling across her head generating a curl of her lip and ended with him booping her on the end of a nose. Drawing back her head sharply, she swatted his hand away from her, “Stop that. I do behave.” Her grey eyes slanted to the left and quietly added more to herself in a grumble, “Mostly.”
‘Oh, Papa, bring her anyway!' Ariadne yelped softly in complaint, 'I want you both to come! Isi, promise you’ll behave when it’s time to visit. Don’t let Papa leave you behind.’
Ismene’s grey eyes flashed back to Ariadne and she snorted, “Oh, please he knows if he left me behind I’d find my own way and he doesn’t want that to happen… he’s only trying to be funny.” Turning a dead-pan look to him, “He’s not figured out yet that he’s not.”
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Ismene allowed the rare moment of intimacy her father showered upon her and her sister but it was done for no one’s sake other than her sister’s. The depth of her affection for her family was endless, but somewhere along the way she’d been pushed out of the nest sooner than her sister had been… or perhaps would be. Children were observant creatures and aware of the actions of others to the extreme. It was ingrained in them to be such, mostly because learning was taught best by watching.
She had seen every tender touch or softness awarded her sister and at first when she was younger she couldn’t understand why they were treated differently… and then somewhere along the way that confusion turned into simply not caring what the reasons were. Somewhere along the way she’d accepted it as the way that life was and in the process had withdrawn her emotions deeper inside of herself.
Independent she may have been but somewhere along the way her strength had become less of a choice. Her father’s hand rested upon her head… there wasn’t any way he could truly know that Ismene struggled. She was careful and now that he seemed so dependent upon her being the harder cast of the twins she refused to let him think otherwise. It was getting to be ‘old hat’ for her.
Twisting her head up, she jutted her chin out and smiled encouragingly to Ariadne as her father brought up the letters that Uncle Gregor had once upon a time helped them craft for him while he was away. They had missed him so much, she’d missed him so much. It would be similar to that… he was right. They would make this work and her sister would be given the shot to be something more than either of them.
Her father’s fingers started crawling across her head generating a curl of her lip and ended with him booping her on the end of a nose. Drawing back her head sharply, she swatted his hand away from her, “Stop that. I do behave.” Her grey eyes slanted to the left and quietly added more to herself in a grumble, “Mostly.”
‘Oh, Papa, bring her anyway!' Ariadne yelped softly in complaint, 'I want you both to come! Isi, promise you’ll behave when it’s time to visit. Don’t let Papa leave you behind.’
Ismene’s grey eyes flashed back to Ariadne and she snorted, “Oh, please he knows if he left me behind I’d find my own way and he doesn’t want that to happen… he’s only trying to be funny.” Turning a dead-pan look to him, “He’s not figured out yet that he’s not.”
Ismene allowed the rare moment of intimacy her father showered upon her and her sister but it was done for no one’s sake other than her sister’s. The depth of her affection for her family was endless, but somewhere along the way she’d been pushed out of the nest sooner than her sister had been… or perhaps would be. Children were observant creatures and aware of the actions of others to the extreme. It was ingrained in them to be such, mostly because learning was taught best by watching.
She had seen every tender touch or softness awarded her sister and at first when she was younger she couldn’t understand why they were treated differently… and then somewhere along the way that confusion turned into simply not caring what the reasons were. Somewhere along the way she’d accepted it as the way that life was and in the process had withdrawn her emotions deeper inside of herself.
Independent she may have been but somewhere along the way her strength had become less of a choice. Her father’s hand rested upon her head… there wasn’t any way he could truly know that Ismene struggled. She was careful and now that he seemed so dependent upon her being the harder cast of the twins she refused to let him think otherwise. It was getting to be ‘old hat’ for her.
Twisting her head up, she jutted her chin out and smiled encouragingly to Ariadne as her father brought up the letters that Uncle Gregor had once upon a time helped them craft for him while he was away. They had missed him so much, she’d missed him so much. It would be similar to that… he was right. They would make this work and her sister would be given the shot to be something more than either of them.
Her father’s fingers started crawling across her head generating a curl of her lip and ended with him booping her on the end of a nose. Drawing back her head sharply, she swatted his hand away from her, “Stop that. I do behave.” Her grey eyes slanted to the left and quietly added more to herself in a grumble, “Mostly.”
‘Oh, Papa, bring her anyway!' Ariadne yelped softly in complaint, 'I want you both to come! Isi, promise you’ll behave when it’s time to visit. Don’t let Papa leave you behind.’
Ismene’s grey eyes flashed back to Ariadne and she snorted, “Oh, please he knows if he left me behind I’d find my own way and he doesn’t want that to happen… he’s only trying to be funny.” Turning a dead-pan look to him, “He’s not figured out yet that he’s not.”
Very few things in this life made Hector smile the way he did when picking at teasing at Ismene. Even from her infancy, he noted that the two girls were made of entirely different mettle. There was a sensitivity in Ariadne that made him see her as quite fragile. Of the two, he worried more about Ari, who could be as upset in a year's time as Ismene had been in the entirety of her life.
It was the foreignness of Ariadne's sentimentality that always had him concerned - he was simply unfamiliar and quite frankly scared of it. As far as he was concerned, it must have come from their mother.
Ismene, however, he understood better. As he saw it, she was made of tougher stuff. Her moments manifested differently, with a temper that she had undeniably and unfortunately inherited from him. It was the same for him at her age - any hurt he ever felt came forth as a temper, rarely ever as tears. As far as he was concerned, in this fledgling state of fatherhood, Ismene was just like him. It would never dawn on him that the reasons for her moods and state was anything other than nature...not nurture.
It manifested perfectly as he watched her scowl crinkle lines onto her forehead that were twenty years from ever needing to be seen there. He could not help but laugh as she swatted at his hand and countered him immediately. As mad as she appeared, he could not help but find her more adorable than words could say - which was useful, because he doubted that drawing attention to it would improve the situation at all.
His laughter continued, even as Ismene pointed out completely correctly that he would never actually leave her in Arcana, for reasons he would never say aloud but would allow to hang in the air in case the shoe fit the situation. In the meantime, he saw that if the mood was not shifted immediately, it could get uglier.
"Alright, alright, enough of that," he said, rolling his eyes at them and lifting his arms from around them as if releasing birds out into the wild, "It is getting late and it is a long ride to Athenia by cart. Here. Isi, let's help your sister gather her things then...perhaps I could find a honeycake or two hiding in the kitchen before we go to bed, hm?"
Hector shifted gingerly from back against the wall to standing, the forever nagging stitch in his side from his war wound still present in the way he grunted as he stood, catching a quick breath before reaching down to lay a crumpled gown on the bed.
Even though he knew that she would receive new clothes and accessories in service to Princess Persephone, doing something as simple as this together would help soothe the hurt. At least, he hoped.
As they began to fold the dresses and collect the sandals and trinkets that she enjoyed from around the room, he quietly watched his daughters for a moment, already missing the sight before it was taken away.
In his mind, the same conflict bounced around - is this the right thing?...she's only ten...but they can provide better for her than I can...but will she be okay?...what if something happens....
Those thoughts would keep him from sleeping in the nights to come, at least until he would get to see Ariadne again at the upcoming festival.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Very few things in this life made Hector smile the way he did when picking at teasing at Ismene. Even from her infancy, he noted that the two girls were made of entirely different mettle. There was a sensitivity in Ariadne that made him see her as quite fragile. Of the two, he worried more about Ari, who could be as upset in a year's time as Ismene had been in the entirety of her life.
It was the foreignness of Ariadne's sentimentality that always had him concerned - he was simply unfamiliar and quite frankly scared of it. As far as he was concerned, it must have come from their mother.
Ismene, however, he understood better. As he saw it, she was made of tougher stuff. Her moments manifested differently, with a temper that she had undeniably and unfortunately inherited from him. It was the same for him at her age - any hurt he ever felt came forth as a temper, rarely ever as tears. As far as he was concerned, in this fledgling state of fatherhood, Ismene was just like him. It would never dawn on him that the reasons for her moods and state was anything other than nature...not nurture.
It manifested perfectly as he watched her scowl crinkle lines onto her forehead that were twenty years from ever needing to be seen there. He could not help but laugh as she swatted at his hand and countered him immediately. As mad as she appeared, he could not help but find her more adorable than words could say - which was useful, because he doubted that drawing attention to it would improve the situation at all.
His laughter continued, even as Ismene pointed out completely correctly that he would never actually leave her in Arcana, for reasons he would never say aloud but would allow to hang in the air in case the shoe fit the situation. In the meantime, he saw that if the mood was not shifted immediately, it could get uglier.
"Alright, alright, enough of that," he said, rolling his eyes at them and lifting his arms from around them as if releasing birds out into the wild, "It is getting late and it is a long ride to Athenia by cart. Here. Isi, let's help your sister gather her things then...perhaps I could find a honeycake or two hiding in the kitchen before we go to bed, hm?"
Hector shifted gingerly from back against the wall to standing, the forever nagging stitch in his side from his war wound still present in the way he grunted as he stood, catching a quick breath before reaching down to lay a crumpled gown on the bed.
Even though he knew that she would receive new clothes and accessories in service to Princess Persephone, doing something as simple as this together would help soothe the hurt. At least, he hoped.
As they began to fold the dresses and collect the sandals and trinkets that she enjoyed from around the room, he quietly watched his daughters for a moment, already missing the sight before it was taken away.
In his mind, the same conflict bounced around - is this the right thing?...she's only ten...but they can provide better for her than I can...but will she be okay?...what if something happens....
Those thoughts would keep him from sleeping in the nights to come, at least until he would get to see Ariadne again at the upcoming festival.
Very few things in this life made Hector smile the way he did when picking at teasing at Ismene. Even from her infancy, he noted that the two girls were made of entirely different mettle. There was a sensitivity in Ariadne that made him see her as quite fragile. Of the two, he worried more about Ari, who could be as upset in a year's time as Ismene had been in the entirety of her life.
It was the foreignness of Ariadne's sentimentality that always had him concerned - he was simply unfamiliar and quite frankly scared of it. As far as he was concerned, it must have come from their mother.
Ismene, however, he understood better. As he saw it, she was made of tougher stuff. Her moments manifested differently, with a temper that she had undeniably and unfortunately inherited from him. It was the same for him at her age - any hurt he ever felt came forth as a temper, rarely ever as tears. As far as he was concerned, in this fledgling state of fatherhood, Ismene was just like him. It would never dawn on him that the reasons for her moods and state was anything other than nature...not nurture.
It manifested perfectly as he watched her scowl crinkle lines onto her forehead that were twenty years from ever needing to be seen there. He could not help but laugh as she swatted at his hand and countered him immediately. As mad as she appeared, he could not help but find her more adorable than words could say - which was useful, because he doubted that drawing attention to it would improve the situation at all.
His laughter continued, even as Ismene pointed out completely correctly that he would never actually leave her in Arcana, for reasons he would never say aloud but would allow to hang in the air in case the shoe fit the situation. In the meantime, he saw that if the mood was not shifted immediately, it could get uglier.
"Alright, alright, enough of that," he said, rolling his eyes at them and lifting his arms from around them as if releasing birds out into the wild, "It is getting late and it is a long ride to Athenia by cart. Here. Isi, let's help your sister gather her things then...perhaps I could find a honeycake or two hiding in the kitchen before we go to bed, hm?"
Hector shifted gingerly from back against the wall to standing, the forever nagging stitch in his side from his war wound still present in the way he grunted as he stood, catching a quick breath before reaching down to lay a crumpled gown on the bed.
Even though he knew that she would receive new clothes and accessories in service to Princess Persephone, doing something as simple as this together would help soothe the hurt. At least, he hoped.
As they began to fold the dresses and collect the sandals and trinkets that she enjoyed from around the room, he quietly watched his daughters for a moment, already missing the sight before it was taken away.
In his mind, the same conflict bounced around - is this the right thing?...she's only ten...but they can provide better for her than I can...but will she be okay?...what if something happens....
Those thoughts would keep him from sleeping in the nights to come, at least until he would get to see Ariadne again at the upcoming festival.
Ari wished that she could keep this moment in her mind forever. Surrounded by her father and sister was something that was going to feel extra special from now on. A part of her wondered if they would ever truly be like this again. But of course, she wasn’t going to think too much about that at the moment. She was just going to let herself enjoy what remained of their night.
As Isi and her father joked about whether or not the twin would come to visit, Ariadne just smiled. She knew that her sister was right and that Hector would never leave her behind. Not when there was Ari to be seen. At the very least, Hector wouldn’t prevent Ariadne from some joy even if Ismene was in trouble. That was the thing about their papa—he was susceptible to them. Ariadne was hardly ever dramatic or overly emotional on purpose. It just happened to her. She never tried to play anything up to get what she wanted, but she did understand that her emotions had weight. They meant something to Hector whether she meant it or not. Ari supposed that this was one particular circumstance that she wouldn’t mind swaying him one way.
Finally, Hector dismissed them from his hold, indicating that there was still some to do before she left. She looked around at some of her clothes that were strewn about the room. In the height of her sadness and anxiety, she hadn’t meant to leave them all about. That would never do if she was to be a lady’s maid. She was certain it wasn’t acceptable to leave clothes about. If anything, she was meant to put them away. A faint blush graced her cheeks, though her father’s mention of honeycakes helped. At least he didn’t seem too worried about it.
The three of them had everything put away in a matter of minutes and her life was packed into a small bag. It felt like so little, but in that moment Ariadne felt like she had so much. It was then that she realized all would be well, no matter what was to come. She had the support of these two and she could do anything. Even things that were scary and overwhelming.
“I think I’m ready now,” she said, giving her father and twin a small smile. “But let’s have some honeycakes first.”
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Ari wished that she could keep this moment in her mind forever. Surrounded by her father and sister was something that was going to feel extra special from now on. A part of her wondered if they would ever truly be like this again. But of course, she wasn’t going to think too much about that at the moment. She was just going to let herself enjoy what remained of their night.
As Isi and her father joked about whether or not the twin would come to visit, Ariadne just smiled. She knew that her sister was right and that Hector would never leave her behind. Not when there was Ari to be seen. At the very least, Hector wouldn’t prevent Ariadne from some joy even if Ismene was in trouble. That was the thing about their papa—he was susceptible to them. Ariadne was hardly ever dramatic or overly emotional on purpose. It just happened to her. She never tried to play anything up to get what she wanted, but she did understand that her emotions had weight. They meant something to Hector whether she meant it or not. Ari supposed that this was one particular circumstance that she wouldn’t mind swaying him one way.
Finally, Hector dismissed them from his hold, indicating that there was still some to do before she left. She looked around at some of her clothes that were strewn about the room. In the height of her sadness and anxiety, she hadn’t meant to leave them all about. That would never do if she was to be a lady’s maid. She was certain it wasn’t acceptable to leave clothes about. If anything, she was meant to put them away. A faint blush graced her cheeks, though her father’s mention of honeycakes helped. At least he didn’t seem too worried about it.
The three of them had everything put away in a matter of minutes and her life was packed into a small bag. It felt like so little, but in that moment Ariadne felt like she had so much. It was then that she realized all would be well, no matter what was to come. She had the support of these two and she could do anything. Even things that were scary and overwhelming.
“I think I’m ready now,” she said, giving her father and twin a small smile. “But let’s have some honeycakes first.”
Ari wished that she could keep this moment in her mind forever. Surrounded by her father and sister was something that was going to feel extra special from now on. A part of her wondered if they would ever truly be like this again. But of course, she wasn’t going to think too much about that at the moment. She was just going to let herself enjoy what remained of their night.
As Isi and her father joked about whether or not the twin would come to visit, Ariadne just smiled. She knew that her sister was right and that Hector would never leave her behind. Not when there was Ari to be seen. At the very least, Hector wouldn’t prevent Ariadne from some joy even if Ismene was in trouble. That was the thing about their papa—he was susceptible to them. Ariadne was hardly ever dramatic or overly emotional on purpose. It just happened to her. She never tried to play anything up to get what she wanted, but she did understand that her emotions had weight. They meant something to Hector whether she meant it or not. Ari supposed that this was one particular circumstance that she wouldn’t mind swaying him one way.
Finally, Hector dismissed them from his hold, indicating that there was still some to do before she left. She looked around at some of her clothes that were strewn about the room. In the height of her sadness and anxiety, she hadn’t meant to leave them all about. That would never do if she was to be a lady’s maid. She was certain it wasn’t acceptable to leave clothes about. If anything, she was meant to put them away. A faint blush graced her cheeks, though her father’s mention of honeycakes helped. At least he didn’t seem too worried about it.
The three of them had everything put away in a matter of minutes and her life was packed into a small bag. It felt like so little, but in that moment Ariadne felt like she had so much. It was then that she realized all would be well, no matter what was to come. She had the support of these two and she could do anything. Even things that were scary and overwhelming.
“I think I’m ready now,” she said, giving her father and twin a small smile. “But let’s have some honeycakes first.”