Hope Falls

“He’s watching his mother die… they both cry a lot. As do Lady Aster’s kids. It’s not often quiet around here.” Lucian rolled his eyes, moving an arm around her at the flinch on instinct, loosening it when he realised there was no danger.

---

“I don’t know… the memory loss is getting more frequent isn’t it?”

"I don't know." He echoed, turning his face to hide it in her hair as his eyes began to sting from the terms of their agreement. Adding thickly; "I'm not ready."

---

Lynette opened her mouth to respond, changing her mind however when Cassius managed to push the door open and her eyes fell upon them. "I refuse to help you babysit actual babies."

Cassius hesitantly let go of his sister, crossing the room toward Lucian..

(( Night night))

“We’ve not had enough time have we?” Dagmar agreed tearfully.

---

Lucian nodded at her aversion to the children. “There’s guest rooms available, if you ask one of the guards to escort you… or if you don’t mind the idle gossip of court you can be escorted to my quarters. Conan doesn’t have an actual wife, his children - his heirs - are technically bastards by his mistress. I can’t see you sleeping in my room causing too much of a fuss around here since that’s barely a scandal anymore. But I also know you don’t like too much attention so the choice is yours.” He assured, beckoning Cassius and Aesira over with a hand gesture.

"Longer then? Don't - don't make me talk to Farrah yet. Give us longer?"

---

Cassius fell into Lucian, burying his face against his stomach with another sob.

"I can find my own way I am sure, I expect to be given a posh meal today though." Lynette looked down at the children, wrinkling her nose uncomfortably before leaving the room.

“Make sure you take your boots off before you get into my bed! You have a bad habit!” Lucian called after her as he scooped Cassius into his arms. “It’s okay Cass, it’s okay.” He soothed gently, smoothing his hair down.

---

Dagmar nodded without putting up a fight, sinking deeper into her arms.

"No, no okay. No." Cassius yelled, hitting his fist weakly against Lucian's shoulder. "No! How can - No."

"Big feelings for little people," Devika mused quietly as she stepped inside, her voice calm though the urgency of her visit was signalled by How the door slightly slammed behind her. Reaching an arm out to wrap around Aesira's shoulders and pull her in. "Even grown ups don't know how to deal with that."

“If you’re looking for Farah allow her some rest, she managed to get her head down an hour ago, she’s exhausted.” Lucian asked quietly as he gritted his teeth against Cassius’ hits.

“He saw mama and got upset again…”

"I'm here for you. Karina wants everyone in her quarters, you, Conan, Farah. Immediately. She's had a vision, she has seen which witch did it." Devika whispered, crouching down so she was at Aesira's level and could hug her properly. Kissing the side of her head and whispering; "Are you okay, Sira?"

“And what of the children? Conan doesn’t want them with just anyone during this, and it’s not a conversation they should be in on.”

“Daddy was going to make me see her…”

"I can look after the children. Then, if I am needed after Karina shares her experience, Aesira and Cass can spend time with Emmett, Ira and Ada whilst everyone works." Devika answered non-chalantly, waving Lucian away as her focus remained on Aesira. "Your dad just wants you both to spend time with her, to spend time as a family whilst... well, you know."

“I’m not getting Farah, she deserves sleep. But I’ll catch up to Lynnette and meet the others. Where are they meeting?”

"No, Farrah is needed. We all want sleep, but Farrah has the cure - if anyone recognises this witch then there will be no time for delay. You and your crew have travelled so much that she may know this witch where others don't."

“She’s also not an unstoppable machine. She’s a person - who is exhausted. If anyone wakes her up there’ll be consequences. When she’s had at least a few hours of sleep I’ll wake her. And if anyone attempts it before I say so then I’ll just send her and the rest of my crew back to the boat so they can’t be harassed further.” Lucian warned passively as he stood up. “Cass, Lady Devika is going to watch you so I can go see your father, okay?” He said gently, tone softening.

"Very supportive of your cousin," Devika scoffed. "Do not make threats here, Captain. This is a breakthrough, it is very exciting. Your harshness is unwelcome, I do not deserve it. No one here does."

"No. No change again. One person. You." Cassius whined.

“It wasn’t a threat. My girls are my girls to protect as well as order about, and that’s not just physically. Just because my cousin couldn’t care less about your welfare or the others he’s pushing to breaking point with his orders doesn’t mean I’ll stand for those who swore oaths to me to be treated the same.” Lucian shrugged. “Giving false hope to everyone once again is not exciting. It’s heartbreaking because Conan will act like there’s actually a possibility of saving his mistress when we are all aware she’s dead already.” He shook his head before striding ahead, keeping Cassius in his arms as he headed toward his room, hoping to catch Lynette on the way.

“I have to stay with my brother…” Aesira whined.

"I think you have looked after your brother enough, it's time for me to look after you." Devika whispered, adding gently. "You're not too grown up to be carried, are you?"

---

Lynette had shrank away into one of the large walk in wardrobes along the main hallway, the door propped open as she went at pieces of clothing with scissors. Stuffing the fabric she liked, or had ideas for, into pockets and the arms of her shirt. Humming softly as she done so, as if doing nothing wrong at all.

"Mis- Mistress? What that?" Cassisus sniffled

“Come on urchin, we’ve been summoned.” Lucian declared as he found her, gently swinging Cassius up so he was sat atop his shoulders, holding his legs with one hand so his arms were free from the weight. Using his free hand to gently place it on Lynette’s shoulder to steer her. “If you don’t argue with me I’ll give you something extra shiny later.”

---

“No.” Aesira whispered mournfully with a shake of her head.

"Good," Devika whispered with a sad smile, lifting her up as she stood up properly. "What you and I should do is going to the kitchen, nag chef Mel for the most unhealthy things she has and then hide away for a little while. What do you think?"

---

Cassius screeched, wings unfurling in a panic and lifting above him to try and maintain his balance on top of his shoulders.

"I am busy, and I want nothing to do with..." Lynette paused, grimacing as she motioned clumsily toward Cassius. "Wings there."

“You’ve never been on your dads shoulders kiddo? You’re neglected, hands on my head.” Lucian soothed gently, moving both hands to hold Cassius’ legs properly then, steadying him before turning back to Lynette. “I’m not asking you to come and babysit him, come on.”

---

“When my mama dies… will I get a new mama? I don’t want one…”

"No, no. She'll always be your mother, there won't be a new one." Devika answered quietly, kissing the top of her head gently. "She loves you very much."

---

Cassius swallowed thickly, nervous as he gripped onto Lucian's hair tightly. Muscles tense.

"What if it starts crying again?"

“Love doesn’t mean anything… doesn’t save people. Won’t stop her from dying.”

---

“I’ll settle him, come on. You dealt with Kenny as a baby and beyond, and I’m offering you jewellery. I’ll even let you do that thing you love doing where you pretend to be my missus so people trip over their words and start doing awkward shit like bowing to you and it makes you laugh - it’ll have even more weight now they’re calling me Prince, much more of a reaction than Captain.” Lucian offered her a cheesy grin to tempt her.

Lynette silently played with a scrap of material on a two hundred year old robe, tilting her head to the side and silently snipping off a meter of its length before humming; "Let us do it in front of the bitch that broke your heart and I'm in, I'd like to make her squirm."

---

"They say people live in your memory but I don't believe that. I think it's more in your actions, what you do... you take the best parts of the people you love and keep it going."

“There’s a reason you’re nearly always my favourite.” Lucian chuckled. “She’s happily married so I don’t think she’ll care but I do adore your acting, come on.” He encouraged as he walked toward Conans office then.

---

“What about when I forget things about her?”

"Even then, she is a part of your blood. A part of your soul, and thr soul understands things that we never will. God knows that." Devika whispered, heading out of the room with her and toward the kitchen.

---

"If the child screams I am leaving. I only put up with Kenna because she was yours."

“You’ve never been dead so how do you know?”

---

“You put up with Kenny because you love her, as much as you pretend you don’t.” Lucian grinned smugly.