Re: Hope Falls

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 19:35

“If I deserved to lose Alexandria then you deserved to lose Søren. You knew he was going to die over a year before it happened. And you still let him sleep with you, hold you close, imagine your future together. Name your children, imagine a life together. You let him do all of that and you lied to his face.” Thea hissed as she let her go, sitting back and crossing her arms. “If I deserved to lose my daughter then you deserved to lose your fiancé.”

“You’re acting like a jealous pup who’s no control over their feelings!”

“No sir… I couldn’t face my kids as a coward. I couldn’t abandon the men who have served under me like that.”

“Can’t remember the last time we had anything warm before that either… I’m throwing a feast when this is over and done with, for everyone.”

“He’s not a small man, help will be appreciated Seer, thank you. That means the others can attend the other wounded.”

**BestNameEva** Wed 5 Oct - 19:52

Matilda took in a deep breath as she got to her feet, moving around the table to close the space between them with an unsettling calm before she made a strangled sound and threw herself at Thea. Digging her fingernails into the scalp to try and rip a chunk of her hair out.

"Why would I be jealous?! Izsak and Matilda make each other feel, and he needs someone to make him feel right now. He stays where you and I can keep an eye or she goes back with him because she is the only one I trust with him. This isn't a slur on her, Draven, for fuck sake."

"It doesn't make you a coward, it makes you a man. I - Dasha and I have had these conversations too so I understand your argument but if I were just one step lower than what I was, or even if Dasha could come with me - and do not echo this or judge me - but I would leave and be with my children."

"A feast is the perfect thing to have after a wedding."

"His ribs on his left are more sensitive than the rest of him since he took the tumble from training Kael, so when you are stitching him there be..." Florence wrinkled her nose as she got to her feet and went to fetch the pack of herbs. Finishing after a moment of thinking of the correct word "...Delicate."

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 20:03

“You can’t stand me because I had the courage to do what you never could. I broke the rules!” Thea screamed as she booted Matilda away, scrambling backwards in the floor. “You fucking spent over a year lying through your teeth. He would’ve given everything for you and he did but you couldn’t even break a single rule for him! You always were up the guardians arse and look where it’s got you Tilly! A dead fiancé and spending the next millennium sniffing after his brother so you can project!”

“It’s not fair on her!”

“You never wanted this sir. You have never felt like this realm is your home. I wouldn’t blame you for not wanting to fight for it.”

“A week of feasts and parties.”

“I’ll take your concerns into consideration.”

**BestNameEva** Wed 5 Oct - 20:14

Matilda grunted quietly in pain as she was pushed, pushing herself up on her elbows as she panted to try and catch her breath. "I came here... with every aim to be civil with you. I do not give a shit about your opinion on the wolves, you're just throwing cheap shots because despite having the fancy place to live and the 'stable' army you are fucking losing. That's what you get for being so damn cocky. I stay in my damn lane, you should do the same."

"She goes with him or he stays, Draven... or you go with him, or I do. One of the three of us will be going witg him though, do you understand? This is about who I trust. I'm not saying no to you, I'm not disagreeing but you aren't meeting me half way!"

"It isn't.. land.. I am fighting for. It's you, and Karina. Everyone out there with lives and families that need protecting. Magnus and Thea." Conan whispered. "The people make it home, don't they? Dasha can't leave this place, so this place has to stay intact so she can stay safe."

"It isn't a concern, I'm alerting you to a fact." Florence frowned as she ground the herbs into a pulp to mix in with the ingredients that make the cream. "Be delicate with the ribs on his left."

"A week of parties? That sounds thrilling to the kingdom I am sure but exhausting for us." Aodhän laughed then.

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 20:23

“You came here and started being fucking patronising from the off. Telling me I deserve to lose my daughter is not civil. So don’t you dare.”

“Then he stays. And continues to be a fucking liability. Don’t come crying to me when people get pissed because someone got killed and it’s his fault.” Draven hissed before leaving the tent and storming out.

“We will need it after everything. A week of festivities.”

The healer remained silent then, holding her tongue as she began to work her way around Wyatt’s body.

“It is hard for her isn’t it? To know - to know that she could be left behind at any moment if needs must. If there was nobody to take your children to the human realm and it had to be you.”

**BestNameEva** Wed 5 Oct - 20:36

"Forcing me to feel what you felt is an attack! You turned into a fucking bitch before I said one horrible word to you, you've always been a little psychopath though haven't you? Damaged is all you are and now your bitterness is going to get your husband and his people all killed, which is ashame after how hard he has worked to become loved isn't it? You can save that though if you admit your losses and step back then you save him, you save your people. There is no shame in admitting defeat." Matilda hissed, moving her hand to curl her palm over the nail marks in her arm from Thea. "I brought you blood to fucking replenish and everything. I had to argue with Sarika to get you that, you ungrateful bitch."

Sarika rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair with a sigh and waiting for a few moments before getting up and heading out of the tent herself. Walking toward Izsak's on search of him.

"Will we have to be present at them all?" He grimaced.

Florence wandered over a moment later, when she had made the anti-septic and soothing cream. Patiently waiting until wounds were cleaned and stitched before apply the ointment. "How are you coping with it all?" She asked the healer quietly, attempting small talk.

"Unimaginably hard, and harder so that she couldn't go with them. We are so grateful for Karina, we are but.. if Dasha could she would have gone to the children in a heartbeat. That is what hurts her. The Guardian's overreacted to the two of us, they really did. Cruel beasts."

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 20:46

“Because you talked shit about my child! That was an attack Matilda. Fuck you.” Thea snarled. “You see the mistake in orchestrating the death of my daughter is that it’s left us with nothing to lose. Starve me and Magnus out… people in the castle can walk ojt as they please to surrender. But he and I? We’ll hold the castle till the last, the seat of power. Make it ducking expensive and wasteful for you and the damned witches. We don’t have our daughters future to fight for anymore so we’ll go down with the rest of them.” Thea laughed, shaking her head. “And when the time comes I’ll be dying slowly, you’ll feel every gods damned second of it.”

“They clearly had other plans and weren’t happy you didn’t follow them.”

Izsak had curled back up in his tent after eating, back to the entrance as always.

“Of course, why not?”

“Finding… the war?”

**BestNameEva** Wed 5 Oct - 21:00

"The emotional side of it, yes. I mean.. with your job. You must be really strong." She whispered quietly as worked. "I couldn't do what you do, I think it would tear me apart too much to lose people."

"It sounds exhausting, and I mych prefer just spending time with you." Aodhän whispered. "Parties are fine, but.. not days in a row. It sounds overwhelming to me."

"Hi," Sarika whispered as she pushed her way inside, dropping down onto her side behind him and wrapping her arm around his waist. "Hi, Izzy."

"They have no right to dictate who we love, hm? I mean, you and Karina... she is high up in rank really, it is only lucky that you weren't on the out of bounds list. Could you imagine loving her like you do but having to keep it secret?"

"I think it is awfully sad that you have turned that man from a devoted King and leader to one whom would let his people die for no due reason, for such a selfish reason that you didn't get your happy ending. He deserves better than you, the Guardian's obviously knew that too."

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 21:07

“I wouldn’t be as foolish as to court feelings for someone I couldn’t love.” Emmett laughed, teasing.

Izsak closed his eyes at her touch, relaxing ever so slightly.

“The people would rather die than be enslaved by dogs.” Thea snipped. “And then it looks like we have something in common. Both our men deserved better.“

“Fine, maybe just a small handful of parties.”

“Surely you see death all the time through your minds eye, Seer?”

**BestNameEva** Wed 5 Oct - 21:16

"You would much prefer to court someone ypu adamantly hate. Yes, you are very sensible." Conan laughed, reaching his hand over to light-heartedly pat his shoulder.

Sarika leant herself up enough to press her lips against the crook of his neck, moving her leg to curl it around one if Izsak's so there wouldn't be any space between them at all. "I've got you."

"Bring it to a vote then." Matilda challenged, shoulders tensing as she tried not to bite at her comments. "Bring it to a vote on if the people would rather die. If you and Magnus want to be executed fine, but give your people the choice."

"Three days, but the last day we don't have to attend?"

"I used to, I haven't... seen in awhile. Not since the wolves took me." Florence whispered. "I couldn't cope with it though, I hated every second. I have felt so much... happier... not knowing things."

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 21:22

“You being here reeks of desperation Matilda. You know your wife is losing. And you’ve come here to save face.”

“Worked for me didn’t it?” Emmett grinned.

Izsak stopped breathing momentarily at the touching to his neck, before quickly turning over and pressing his lips to hers.

“You don’t have to but I probably will.”

“A Seer with no visions?”

**BestNameEva** Wed 5 Oct - 21:29

"Being kidnapped for months kind of fucks you up, and it wasn't... pleasant. They played mind games, they hurt me. I felt like a rabbit in a trap." Florence whispered quietly. "That's why Wyatt and I know each other now; I - I had no self-defence skills, now I do."

"Sol.." Aodhän stated, voice lilting into a quiet plead.

"Oh," Sarika gasped, lifting her hand up to tangle fingers loosely in his hair as she kissed him back deeply.

"You two are..." Conan shook his head as he struggled for words. "And it has made us have to be kind to each other aswell which is even crazier, isn't it?"

"Sarika is not losing, Draven is not losing." Matilda answered calmly. "I fought with Sarika to be able to come and give you the chance to live. This was not ordered, do you understand? This is my attempt to save you, as a sister."

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 21:37

“A sister who is glad her niece died then? How familial of you Matilda.”

“I’m not making you go to them all. I have done balls and feasts without you before, I understand you don’t enjoy them all.”

“You mean considering I wouldve reported you if not for the child you faked?”

“You’ve done remarkably well for such a puny human.”

Izsak kissed her deeply, moving to rest a hand on her cheek.

**BestNameEva** Wed 5 Oct - 21:46

"Yes, because you are feeling these visions with a fucking vampire pain tolerance. An adult vampire pain tolerance; Imagine how they would be for a new Seer - imagine how it is for the rest of us who are basically fucking human." Matilda growled. "We are all being punished for you not staying in your lane. Yet despite that I thought you deserved a fighting fucking chance to keep your life, because despite that all I can think of is marshmallows over campfires and doing each others nails and stories of our homes. If you want to hate me, if you want to get yourself killed then fine but remember whilst you are choosing a death sentence for yourself it isn't just me you are making suffer with your death but Karina too and from what I heard your best friend is in the human realm with some stupid healer she has never been close to really juggling four children. Very thoughtful of you."

"So after an entire war I must sacrifice a weeks worth of time with you?" Aodhän questioned sadly. "Instead of us just... being in each others presence?"

"You were a dick, you've always doubted me Emmett - right from the offset, before you knew of me and Dasha."

"Thank you," Florence chuckled. "I- I've been rude. What is your name?"

"Izzy," Sarika breathed against his lips. "I know you need this but it feels wrong when you aren't speaking."

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 22:02

“I don’t need to talk.” Izsak shook his head, moving to kiss down her neck and reach a hand up her body, teeth grazing her skin. “I just need you.”

“I was never going to do the nails of a fucking bitch who is relishing in my child dying.” Thea snarled. “I would’ve apologised because believe it or not I do feel bad for what my condition has done to the others, and I’ve done what I could do to make it up to the others and apologise. But you?! Now I’m glad you’re suffering.” She hissed. “I swear if you’ve told those fucking mutts anything about Karina and her babies I’ll kill you right here and now and suffer the consequences from the Guardians.”

“It’s one day Aodhän, just one I’m saying I’ll go to without you.”

“I did.” Emmett nodded.

“It’s Eleanor, Seer.”

**BestNameEva** Wed 5 Oct - 22:23

"It isn't, you wanted a week. I can't cope with a week of parties and I don't want to be faking pleasantries with people near you for two days and then being alone for one night even if you accept three days directly after a war. I want the war, I want us to have our fucking wedding and then I want you all to myself for a day or two before we even bring Kael into the picture yet alone the whole fucking world." Aodhän answered sharply then. "This is jarring me already, and I am going to need you Isolde when it is over."

"And I would lie if I pretend to have liked you either, but.. we have never established if our opinions have changed." Conan laughed weakly. "Mine has of you."

"Eleanor, that a pretty name." Florence smiled. "I'm Florence, but... I like Flo better. It's nice to meet you properly."

"Oh there's your voice." She breathed, leaning towards his affection as her heart rate increased.

"I tell them all I see." Matilda answered frostily

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 22:35

“You insufferable bitch. You’d risk Karina’s life?! Her childrens?! How could you?! How can you call yourself sister?!” Thea raged then, biting into her own wrist and shoving it to Matilda’s mouth to force her to drink, pressing the back of her head down to ensure it happened.

Isolde stopped short at his tone, raising an eyebrow at him. Raising her hand and dismissing the other advisors in the room silently with the gesture, turning to watch them all file out.

“It has?”

“Don’t get attached. We healers are targets in wars. Like I mentioned earlier, more die because of disease… with no healers that number gets even bigger.”

Izsak quickly pulled her up as he too went to his knees, moving to pull her shirt off quickly.

**BestNameEva** Wed 5 Oct - 22:44

Matilda gasped, fighting against her and choking against the flow of the blood as she squirmed. Lifting her hands up to try and slash Thea's face with her nails; lifting her legs up to try and kick her away.

Aodhän let out a shaky sigh, turning his head to stare at the ground. Turning his body away from her.

"Of course. You are still... unsufferable when it comes to your opinions on my strategies but I see the reasoning behind it all now. I feel like I understand the way your brain works now."

Florence physically flinched at the rejection, lowering her gaze down to focus on Wyatt once more. Hands a little more unstable than before.

Sarika arched her back to kiss down his chest, tongue hungrily tracing patterns against his skin.

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 22:57

“Have fun on the battlefield for the next day.” Thea hissed as she pulled her wrist away before grabbing Matilda by the hair “Careful you don’t fall off your horse, or choke on a grape, or trip and hit your head…” she listed with a small laugh. “Tell your pet fucking dogs that we aren’t surrendering. Oh, but I am willing to make a deal. Magnus and I know who killed their son. And we also know the location of his bones. They get the name if they surrender and retreat. They get the location if I get the soldier who killed Eve. Both of these offers expire at the end of the week… and I am many things, but a liar is not and never has been one of them.” She whispered before letting Matilda go and storming from the place.

“I need - this is what I need…” Izsak nodded, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

Isolde gently took his hand, pulling him to turn around and toward her before wrapping her arms around his chest in a tight hug.

“So I am no longer just a brainless gargoyle to you sir? As you once lovingly described me to my wife.”

“I meant no offence Seer. You are protected and revered. We’re the cannon fodder. Our gifts are much more easily replaceable compared to yours. It is how it is.”

**BestNameEva** Wed 5 Oct - 23:11

(( I literally just wrote like 4 characters responses until my phone lost it all. So sad ))

Matilda rushed to her feet, fingers instantly going as far down her throat at she could muster to make herself sick in an attempt to dispell the blood. Forty minutes later she would have wandered back into camp, skin pale from the fear of it - her arms wrapped around herself.

Sarika let out a shaky breath, slowly issuing down his chest. Her fingers a step ahead as she undone the buttons of his shirt, before reaching his trousers.

"Why are you hugging me?" Aodhän asked thickly, arms moving to loosely hug her back.

"Perhaps the gargoyle has a hidden brain cells or two. Your wife is very convincing."

"Everyone says that," Florence whispered sadly. "There is always am excuse for someone to not be my friend, you see? I have Wyatt, the man we are working on now but he hated me at first and Isolde.. she is lovely now but I don't know if that is genuine. You think eventually it would hurt less but it never does.'

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 23:25

“Because i love you so very much.” Isolde whispered, resting her head on his chest.

Izsak moved to tangle his fingers in her hair tightly as his breath caught.

Draven was in his and Sarika’s tent, stood in front of a table with the map spread across it as he studied it quietly.

“Maybe my wife imparted a brain cell upon me. Marrying her was one of the better choices I made in life.”

“The General didn’t hate you. He’s just a prized prick.” Eleanor snorted then, shaking her head. “Oh dear I hope you didn’t take his attitude personally? He hates the air we breathe and the ground we walk on. The most grumpy, stubborn Fae I have ever had the displeasure of meeting.”

Thea popped up out of a hatch in one of the storerooms, having entered and exited the castle using a hidden tunnel built from one of the storerooms to around a mile outside the castle. Making her way back some time later. Pulling herself up off the ladder and closing the latch behind her as she pulled down her cloak.

**BestNameEva** Wed 5 Oct - 23:37

"I know that, but I am trying to - to tell you when the war is over I can't handle a week worth... or even three days worth of partying. I am trying to tell you I will need quality time with you and I don't understand what a hug means in response to that...."

"Are you - are you sure you are ready for this?" Sarika questioned breathily.

" "Ven...." Matilda whispered breathily from the entrance of the tent, having to close her eyes a moment a later as she tried to centre her centre of gravity.

"Karina has always been.. cautious, collected. Too sensible. I know you are just as in control of your emotions as she is but I think you've allowed each other to feel."

"How would you know he never hated me then?" She asked with a tired laugh. "He despised the idea of training me; at first I thought he just believed me to be a burden to his time but then he started to come out with all of this stuff about me wanting to hurt Isolde. We are fine now, don't misunderstand but, yes, the first few months were...rocky."

"You're back." Magnus breathed in relief, standing up from his seat in the corner. "What happened?"

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 23:44

“She told the Wolves where Karina and her children are. She said we deserved to l-lose our daughter because we - I - would’ve condemned her to something horrible. She told us to surrender… so I forced my blood down her throat…”

“It means I’m sorry for not seeing it how you see it at first, and I want to spend time with you when all this is over too.” Isolde whispered. “It means I hear you.”

“I need this.”

“Tilly, you’re b - Matilda?” Draven frowned when he noticed her demeanour, quickly walking over and taking her arms gently. “What happened? Are you okay? Did she try bite you? I told you we should’ve sent guards Tilly, I know you want to be self sufficient but you’re so important!”

“You believed us to be stones who didn’t feel? I’m hurt Sir.”

“It’s just the way he is - they’re all like that. The ones as old as him. Cynical and mean and stuffy.”

**BestNameEva** Wed 5 Oct - 23:50

"You done what?! Jesus Thea if she dies now... the Guardian's wouldn't let you live this time! What were you thinking?! I should have gone with you." Magnus hissed, though wrapped her arms around her tightly to hold her close to him.

"Okay," Aodhän whispered, swallowed thickly before happily burying hjs face against the the crook of her neck and letting himself relish in the comfort.

"Okay, okay. Let's then..."

Matilda crumbled against him at the physical contact, unable to even vocalise what was wrong as her knees collapsed bneath her with a broken sob.

"I had no view on you, but I believe Karina to be too broken to ever feel again which is much different."

"As old...How old?"

Phoenix Wed 5 Oct - 23:59

“When she said what she said… I had to punish her for that.” Thea whispered shakily, swallowing thickly then. “I just - I saw red. And when she said she put Karina and her children in danger too - I - I’m sorry.”

“Hey, hey. You’re scaring me Tills.” Draven frowned as he scooped her up in his arms, holding her to his chest as he moved to sit down on the floor. “Are you injured?”

“We’ll organise the festivities, but we don’t need to be there.” Isolde closed her eyes tiredly. “I’m sorry.”

“That was… a presumptive opinion.”

“I don’t know exactly. He’s older than Isolde. Trained her too, and her father.”

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