|
|
Post by Trinn on Oct 5, 2012 15:11:44 GMT -5
"Ok. I'll be around if you decide you need me too." Eva said, waving goodbye to her brother. She still felt awful about how she treated Maude. Everybody liked Eva because she was nice and social. And now here she was, getting all defensive about some silly statement about the Varden. I messed that up. She said to Eos, frowning after Ian.
Mistakes are the best teacher. Eos replied, leaving Eva to ponder that simple message.
***
Gianna lay down on her bed in her quaint home, hands folded over her stomach. She was about five months along now, and really starting to show. It would another couple months before she could use magic to determine the gender of the infant growing within her. But as with Eva and Ian, she didn't want to know ahead of time. She liked being surprised. Plus, it didn't matter to her what if the baby was male or female. She would love it with her whole heart whichever it ended up being. Her mind wandered, feeling the consciousness of Einar and Stigandr nearby. Gladia was always in her head, a constant comfort. Gianna felt incredibly blessed to be surrounded by all the people she loved. She only wished that she could see her twins more often. How were they doing now, she wondered. And Ian... when would he impress a dragon? Would he ever?
***
At first, Maude was content to just sit with her father, safe in his big arms. It was one of her favorite places to be. But her thoughts would not leave her in peace, and after about ten minutes of just staring at the pond, she broke the silence. "I don't understand why your or mom are not more mad at the people here. The old Varden, I guess I should say. Don't you feel angry that you had to hide in the woods for so long?" And her voice sounded resentful, angry still. "The Varden owe you something. You deserve more." Maude didn't look at her father, unsure what he would think of her now. "I feel like an outcast." she added very quietly, and then bit the inside of her cheek as she felt the threat of tears and a sob coming up her throat.
|
|
|
|
Post by Max452 on Oct 5, 2012 16:21:21 GMT -5
Ian gave his sister a simple nod at her offer, but really knew that his Mother was the best to talk to. She always was. Heading back to his quarters, hatchling atop his head, Ian rushed inside his room and straight to the scrying mirror that was hung on his wall. "Show me my Mother." He muttered to it, and followed the spell that was taught him to scry his Mom. He really hoped she was home now.
***
Kyler tensed as Maude expressed what was ailing her; what caused her to be so angry. He had never really told her why Vana and he banished themselves, only informing her that it was safer, although, he had no doubt that his wife might had mentioned some things. He relaxed after her small vent and pressed her closer to him. "No, Maude, I don't feel angry, nor does your Mother." Kyler began, letting out a sigh as he watched the firefish. His eyes darted to her when she somberly replied that she was an outcast. That was one thing he regretted about living in the Spine in solitude, she never really had any friends.
"Maude. Listen to me, all right?" He continued to gaze down at her with affection, "I am sorry." He slipped out of his seat and knelt before her. "I am sorry that you feel this way. It was never our intention to make you feel lonely." He wrapped his hands around hers. "We thought it was best to stay away from the world; you're mother and I, have done many regretful things and that was why we hid away. Perhaps it was cowardly on my part, but I needed her safe, as I did you when I found out you were coming to our world." He gave a soft smile, his eyes red, hinting toward tears. "We hid away to seek forgiveness, Maude. I need you to understand that, okay? The Varden didn't banish us or try to kill us; they left us be as long as we stayed away. If anything, I owe them much for letting us live in some measure of peace." Kyler sighed out of weariness, "They have every right to hate us and to kill your Mother and I, but they haven't. They've forgiven us and allowed us to be here, and for that I will forever be grateful." He reached up a hand to push back a loose bang from his daughter's face. "They've given us a chance for us to provide for you, to give you the life that I have always desired for you. One of peace and happiness, filled with friends and love. We only want the best for you Maude and the Riders of the Varden helped us make that come true. So, no, my dear daughter, I am not angry with them, but truly grateful and happy; I have you and your Mother, along with Viel and Typhon. Do you understand, Maude? Do you see why we are not filled with hate toward them? I dont want you to have to carry the burden of hate."
|
|
|
|
Post by Trinn on Oct 5, 2012 16:31:37 GMT -5
Gianna felt an odd sensation, as if she were being watched. Sitting up, she looked over at the scrying mirror hanging nearby. She pleasantly surprised to see Ian looking through. "Ian!" she exclaimed, standing and coming closer to the mirror. How she longed to reach out and hug her son. "What's the matter?" She asked immediately, knowing the look in her sons face. "Are you fighting with Eva?" She hated to ask the question. Usually Eva and Ian got along wonderfully together. They had seldom fought, and if they did, it had been when they were little and still learning about themselves and dealing with other people. Now she truly wished to there in Bromsland with him.
***
Maude listened to her father, though she was unable to meet his gaze. She glanced at him once during his explanation, and was surprised to see him on the verge of tears as well. So it was true then, he really did feel grateful. And her mother too, probably. As much as she wanted to hold onto her grudge, she could not deny the point that her father made. She had never thought of it in the way her father explained their situation. Their lives in the Spine had been a blessing, rather than a curse. Maude thought over what he had said when he was finished, until, at last, she felt peaceful. "I understand." she said, finally looking at him. "But it's hard sometimes, dad... But I understand. I should be more grateful too." Her expression grew stern then. "But I never felt alone. Not once while I was growing up. I suppose I may have felt restless, and curious about other people, but never alone. The world was perfect with just us, and Typhon and Viel." She frowned a bit, trying to think of how to phrase her next thought. "In fact, I think with other people now in the picture, nothing is perfect anymore. People are complicated! Like that boy Ian. He's always staring at me, and sometimes I think I could be his friend, but then, I just don't know. We came from such different lives." Maude didn't know if she was asking for advice here, but her father usually always had something smart and comforting to say.
|
|
|
|
Post by Max452 on Oct 5, 2012 16:58:32 GMT -5
Ian was happy that his Mother was home, but the thought of Maude being angry with him...and her words, caused him to keep his sad face. He shook his head when asked if he was angry at Eva. The hatchling on his head made a sharp trill, annoyed from the sudden movement. He wrapped his tail tighter around Ian's neck, hoping that would keep him secure. "No, it's not Eva....its Maude...you remember her? She's Master Vana and Kyler's daughter?" He asked her, "She said some things...and I was wondering if you could help me...I feel confused, Mom!" He then related to her what had happened. "I don't know what to think! She probably thinks that I'm stuck up! But I don't think I am! And we didn't leave a fancy life! Its not like I knew she was living in the Spine! Why would she hate us? I just want her to like me..." He muttered the last part, his face slightly pouty. As he spoke, his facial expressions went through a wide variety of confusion, frustration, and a bit longing for Maude, but mostly confusion.
***
"I know, Maude. Its really hard to let go sometimes, but it feels so much better when we do. Give it some time and do your best to have an open mind of understanding okay?" Kyler gave his daughter a warm smile, happy that she seemed to be letting go of her hate and even more pleased that she didn't harbor any lonely feelings when they lived in the Spine. He kissed her forehead and listened as she ranted about something else. He blinked at the mention of Ian. Einar's son? "Ian?" He blinked again, processing her words. "What do you mean he's been staring at you?" He asked, his voice a bit overprotective and inquisitive. He then looked at his daughter's face, she really looked confused. "Well, of course he can be your friend, Maude. Just because you two grew up differently doesn't mean you can't be friends..and no more than that... just friends. Keep him at a good friendly length!" Kyler added, his voice slightly panicky; he forgot his daughter was growing into a woman. "But...what, what do you think of him?" He asked, trying to sound uninterested in her answer.
|
|
|
|
Post by Trinn on Oct 5, 2012 21:39:28 GMT -5
Gianna listened closely to what Ian had to say, concerned for the story her son related to her. At the end, she felt slightly angry at Maude. The girl had no right to judge her son, to discriminate because of his heritage. But Gianna had to think from the girls perspective, and she soon felt she could sympathize with Maude. "Think of her situation." Gianna began. "Maude came from a very isolated family. She probably feels left out, to an extent, being able to see the children of the Varden thriving and making friends. In fact, she probably feels as if we are the ones who dislike her, because we have people we can relate to, and she does not. Don't be discouraged, Ian. I think, actually, you should keep trying to talk to her. Show her that she is not alone, or that she is not considered an outcast. She's just feeling confused right now, I think. Behind her anger is a lost girl looking for the purpose of things." Gianna paused, then nodded, feeling satisfied with her answer. "And Ian!" She exclaimed, her voice louder now. "IS THAT A DRAGON!?"
***
Maude had never really found Ian's staring strange. She figured it was just because he was curious about her, or had no manners. "Well, I don't know. I thought staring was normal for boys. But he's a good guy, I think. In fact, I feel rather bad for yelling at him earlier. He means well, and I think... well I think I would in fact like to be his friend." She looked at her father questioningly. "And why do you suddenly seem so worried?" She asked, wondering why he had gotten all weird.
|
|
|
|
Post by Max452 on Oct 5, 2012 22:46:04 GMT -5
Ian nodded to his Mother. What she said made sense. He really didn't think about Maude's situation, but merely wondered why he was being yelled at and why she was angry. It didn't occur to him that she felt left out. He frowned at his Mom's theory of Maude being disliked by them. "I don't not like her." Ian stated, half thoughtful and half toward his Mother. "I really don't not like her." He then froze, blushed, in front of his Mother and grinned sheephisly at her outburst. Oh, look he forgot to mention his dragon. "Yeah! Look, Mother! Isn't the dragon amazing!" He plopped the white hacthling from his head to show his Mother properly. "I don't know its gender yet, but he hatched for me today!" He then went into the story of how he was cleaning the hatchary and was allowed in to see the eggs. And amazingly the dragon moved at his touch and hatched when he was showing Eva and Eos. "He's color is really pretty!" He smiled, thinking of Maude as well. "I'm a Rider now!" Ian exclaimed, feeling better about Maude. His bright smile filled his eyes as he knew he was going to try harder to show Maude that he didn't think her second class or anything. Quite the opposite, really.
***
Kyler's lips wanted to go into a worry frown, but he refrained because Maude seemed to like Ian. Well, as a friend, thank goodness. "What? I'm not worried." He replied a bit too hastily. "I was just...curious about him. My daughter is to only have the best of friends in her company. Is it so wrong of me to think so?" He countered, hoping that deterred his daughter from his worry. He would have to tell Vana soon! Their daughter had an admirer, probably! He'll make sure that Viel and Typhon intimate the boy real good before he tried anything inappropriate! And then, Kyler would deal with him! Maude was still his little girl, she wasn't ready for boys! And no boy was going to court her anytime soon!
Kyler sat back into his chair, wondering where the time had gone. He's little baby girl. Kyler unconsciously wrapped his arm around Maude's shoulder and pressed her to him again, as if forcing her to stay his baby girl. "I'm going to have to meet him properly." Kyler slipped out with a twinge of fatherly proectiveness.
|
|
|
|
Post by Trinn on Oct 6, 2012 9:03:57 GMT -5
"I'm so proud of you, Ian. And happy, very happy for you. I feel like flying over to Bromsland right now! And yes, it is indeed beautiful. If you would like to hold a moment, I shall go get your father. He would love to speak to you and to hear the good news!" Gianna suggested. In the back of her mind, she wondered about Ian's worry over Maude. He seemed to be worried about more than what he gave on. Could it be that he was growing attached to her in more than friendly ways? She hoped he would be careful about it. Some girls were born to break hearts.
***
"I'm sure you shall meet him sometime." Maude said, still staring at her father curiously. She had never seen him act so... what was it... protective? Ian would never be able to hurt her, Maude thought. He was as good a swordsman as she, but he lacked the courage to hurt her. He was too good. She thought she could hurt him, if she had to. Maude wondered, a little sadly, if that made her not a good person. "Thanks, dad. I think now I can be friends with Ian. I shall try extra hard to be nice to him, and forgiving. There's no reason why we shouldn't become very good friends." she added, unwittingly giving her father more reason to worry. "Thank you!" She stood up hastily, feeling that there was no time to waste. She had to find Ian and apologize. "I need to take care of the feelings I've hurt today." she said, starting off and away from the pond.
|
|
|
|
Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2012 13:19:46 GMT -5
"Okay, Mother. I'll be happy to wait!" Ian smiled at his Mother. He felt a lot better after talking with her and knew that right after this conversation he would try to look for Maude. He didn't know exactly what he was going to say, but he knew he wanted to patch things up between them or at least explain to her that he didn't judge her in any way and that Eva didn't hate her. He waited patiently for his Mother to grab his Father.
***
Ian was out in the fields, tending to the wheat he had planted months before. It looked like it was growing well. They would have another successful harvest. He gazed up into the sky, wondering how his children were doing. They use to help him with the harvest and Einar enjoyed that immensely because he would talk with them about everyday things. He missed his children.
***
"You should invite him for dinner one night." Kyler suggested, finding that a perfect place to interrogate Ian. "Well, I'm glad that I could help." His voice was quiet. He hoped this didn't come back in a negative way; Ian better be a good influence on his daughter or he'll have an immense problem with Kyler. Kyler simply nodded at his daughter. "I'm proud of you Maude." He told her as he watched her leave the gardens. Once she was gone, Kyler immediately got up from the bench. "VANA! We may have a problem!" Kyler exclaimed with some fright as he ran into the house looking for his wife.
|
|
|
|
Post by Trinn on Oct 6, 2012 13:42:21 GMT -5
"I'll be right back!" Gianna said, gesturing for Ian to wait even though he already said he would. Standing, she rushed out to where she could sense Einar working. "Einar!" She called out to him, spying him in the field. "Come quickly! Ian wants to speak to you!" She didn't say about what. She wanted Ian's news to be a surprise for her husband. As she waited for Einar to come inside, she took the time to admire him. He was everything she had ever wanted, and then some. Gianna was always amazed at the life she now led. It was something she never could have imagined when she was still a slave, not even after she was with Gladia Celesti. The future had turned bright, after all.
***
Maude nodded, hearing her father's suggestion, before slipping into the house and then back out into the street. Her first destination was the dining area she had just been at. Upon reaching it, she found Ian gone, as well as Eos and Eva. She frowned now, wondering where else to go.
***
Vana waved at Maude as she watched the girl rush from the house. What was her hurry? Vana wondered. Vana had just come from a class she had been teaching only to see Maude rushing out and away from home. She was now stepping into the house when she heard Kyler call her name. Feeling rather worried at his exclamation, she found him in the kitchen. "What's the matter!" She asked, searching his face for clues.
|
|
|
|
Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2012 14:53:55 GMT -5
Einar heard the voice of his wife and glanced away from the sky toward her. He gave her a perplexed smile at the reason for her calling out to him. Ian. He rushed quickly over and into the house with speedy ease. "What is it?" He asked, curiousity in his face. "You shouldn't be up." He lightly reprimanded his lovely wife. "You should be resting." He kissed Gianna's lips. He was a bit sweaty from his outside work, but that didn't stop him from picking up his wife, one arm supporting her back and the other her knees. "Let's go see Ian." He gave his wife a playful smile, knowing that Ian wasn't in trouble by the bright glow around his wife.
Walking into their bedroom, Einar gently placed his wife on their bed before turning to face the mirror. His eyes widened with a pleased aura.
"Hey Dad!" Ian was holding up his dragon next to his face and was grinning widely. "Look who hatched for me!"
Einar laughed out in happiness. "You impressed a dragon, son! I'm proud of you!" His bright eyes gazed at his wife and then returned to Ian. "I knew you could do it!"
"Thanks, Dad! I'm really grateful! Now I can protect our family better and accomplish my dream!" Ian declared happily and the hatchling chirped in agreement, though was staring curiously into the mirror.
"I have to go, Father. Thank you, Mother!" Ian glanced at his Mom before smiling at his parents. "I love you!" He waved goodbye before ending the spell.
After speaking with his parents, Ian raced out of his room and out toward the dining area where he had left Eva and Eos. He wanted to tell them what Mother had said and then go straight to look for Maude. When he reached the area, he skidded to a stop, finding Maude was there inside. He locked eyes with her and gave her a tentative smile, feelnig very nervous about talking to her now. He quietly and a bit hesitantly walked over to her. "Hi, Maude." He whispered to her, wondering if she would yell or be receptive to talking to him.
***
"He got a dragon!" Einar smiled happily to his wife as he sat down next to her. He let out another cheerful laugh escape him. "Our children are Riders now." That pleased him greatly. Like his wife, he was worried that Ian wouldn't impress a dragon. He would have hated to see his son grow old and feel left out of the family, but Fate had different plans, to which he was grateful. "They're growing up." Einar realized as he snaked a hand over to hold his wife's hand.
***
Kyler was thankful when he heard Vana's voice. His face was worried and a bit frantic, but Kyler managed to control himself. "Einarson." He replied with some annoyance. "I think he likes our Maude! I won't have it! Maude is too young! I don't care if Ian's Einar's son, but if he tries anything! I'll maim him!" Kyler told his wife, perhaps looking a bit hilarous as he explained the situation to her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Trinn on Oct 6, 2012 15:39:36 GMT -5
Gianna rubbed Einar's back with a hand, seeing that he seemed somewhat upset that Ian and Eva were more adults now than children. "There's something else, too." Gianna said, and recounted her conversation with Ian about Maude. "I think our son has developed a rather strong crush on the girl." She sat with her shoulder against Einar's now, looking down at her hands. "Strange, isn't it? Vana has a daughter, we have a son, and our son wants to be involved with her." She laughed a little at the idea. "I have never, in my most vivid imaginings, have thought of such a future."
***
Vana couldn't help but smirk at Kyler's frantic commands. "Maude is sixteen." Vana told him, growing a bit more serious. "She's a woman now, Kyler. I think we're going to have to accept it. And, I bet, she has more than one admirer. Our daughter is beautiful. She probably would have had more suitors already if not for her rather intimidating aura." Vana watched Kyler, then hugged him with her arms around his waist. She rested her head on his shoulder. "I had already known death and war and many other things by the time I was sixteen." she said quietly. "I feel happy that all we have to worry about are crushes and hurt feelings."
***
Maude felt herself caught by Ian's eyes. She hadn't expected him to come dashing into the dining area so suddenly. She felt suddenly awkward, but determined nonetheless. "I'm sorry, Ian." she said, casting her eyes downward. "I should never have yelled at you the way I did. I jeopardized what friendship we have, and truthfully, I would hate to lose you because of my misgivings." Maude dared a glance back up at him, feeling worried that he would not be receptive to her apology. She had been rather mean.
|
|
|
|
Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2012 16:15:55 GMT -5
Einar chuckled at Gianna's astute comment. "Really? Our Ian? The one that has flocks of girls here that chase after him and he holds no interest toward them? That Ian?" His chuckle turned into a laugh. "Our son is really growing. What next? Eva too? Oh hope not..." He scratched a stubble of hair on his chin, a silent reminder that he needed to shave, as he thought about Eva being courted. He would need Edoc'sil to chase them away...
"Mmm?" He gazed at his wife. "It is, isn't it?" He thought about their past with Vana and Kyler. "It seems fate has a way of easing wrongs; I just hope, if Ian truly fancies Maude, that it works out for him. I don't want them to go through what we did." He told her, a bit somberly. He kissed her fully on the lips, grateful that after all these years, their love had only grown stronger.
***
"More than one!?" Kyler's eyes went wide at that comment. "I'll have to intimitate all of them then!" Kyler deduced, half listening to his wife. "Maybe we should have stayed in the Spine..." He wondered out loud, feeling that no one was worthy for his baby girl. "She's just a child..." He nearly whined out as he felt Vana wrap her arms around him. He sighed, realizing that he was acting like a fool. "You're right...maybe I am overreacting a bit..." He nestled his chin atop Vana's head. "This is just strange for me...she's my baby girl, Vana. I don't want her to get hurt...but you're right, this is far better than the experiences and problems we dealt with." He kissed the top of her head. He knew very well what Vana spoke of, he was an assassin. He didn't want Maude to know that life and so, he was, despite his misgivings, grateful that Maude only had to worry about crushes and classes. It was just a bit somber that he had to watch his daughter grow into a woman. Time flew by fast. "Where has the time gone?" He asked Vana as he gazed down at her. "I miss her when she was a baby...when she needed us..." He sighed and then a thought occur to him. He gave her one of his devious grins. "We could always have another baby. How about we start right now?"
***
Ian felt a flood of relief sweep into him when Maude talked to him. He gave her a smile. The next move came so fast that Ian didn't register what he did until it had happened; it was a natural thing to do since that was what he always did if Eva and he had a fight. He pulled Maude into a hug. "It's okay, Maude. I forgive you." He whispered into her ear. "And just for the record, I never thought I was better than you; I'm glad we're friends." He pulled back just as he realized what he had done. He blushed crimson. "Uh, yeah, so, we good now?" He asked, his eyes darting to the ground.
|
|
|
|
Post by Trinn on Oct 6, 2012 16:44:37 GMT -5
Vana smirked at Kyler's coy comment. "You think so?" she said, leaning in close to him, her lips brushing against his. "What are we waiting for, then?" And Vana kissed him, thoroughly. She pushed him towards the bedroom greedily.
OOC: And that's where we leave the parents alone lol
***
Maude was taken aback by the hug she found herself in. She had never been that close to anyone besides her mother and father. It was odd to hug somebody else. She was a little surprised to notice that Ian had rather nice muscles already. It was a strange thought, and it made her feel odd. She stood with her hands by her side, too dumbstruck to hug him back. She was both relieved and sad when he let go of her. "Yes. We're good." She said, giving him a smile. "I feel so much better now." She admitted sheepishly, reaching up to play with a strand of her long white hair.
|
|
|
|
Post by Max452 on Oct 6, 2012 17:04:37 GMT -5
OOC: AHAHAHA! Agreed! *snickers some more* Maude's getting feelings! lol Ian would be happy!
"Me too. I don't like it when we fight." Ian concluded, glancing up at Maude, finally. "Um, are you still hungry? I never did eat dinner..." Ian scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. His stomach was doing some pleasant flips and the hug had left his body tingling all over. "Or, we could do something else....that is, if you want." He added the last part hastily, glancing away shyly.
|
|
