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Thread: Family

  1. #1
    Althanian

    EXP: 10,250, Level: 4
    Level completed: 25%, EXP required for next Level: 3,750
    Level completed: 25%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,750


    Celandine's Avatar

    GP
    2,182

    Name
    Celandine
    Age
    9 (but looks and acts 18)
    Race
    Faun (genetically half human)
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone

    Family

    She sat outside of the keep, silent and swinging her legs as the whole place went mad. The circular wall of the cliffside fortress lay at her back with few guards, for they were all scurrying to the attentions of her mother. The main gate was down, symbolic of the way the Gilded Lily, for all intents and purposes, was closed for the time. Oh yes brothels in the cities would still be bringing in their money and business and the information network that kept impoverished and abused women protected would still be in effect, but the main governance of the society was all but dead. For their matriarch and founder was heavily pregnant, and early last evening she had begun to show signs of labour. That meant all those in the Gilded Lily headquarters were panicking to get everything Philomel Van Der Aart' might want, from olives from Fallien to a blanket made of softest thistledown.

    And all of them ignored the fact that she already had a child, a daughter, who remained on the bench thoroughly bored.

    "And I was supposed to be the heir and everything. The legacy," she muttered.

    But then Philomel had never exactly spent much decent time with Celandine. Cel had had an unusual childhood - the first five years she had been raised in an inn by a brother and sister couple under the pretense she was a whore's daughter. Then she had been essentially claimed by Philomel and whisked away to a fairy tale castle, where for the past four years she had been brought up with a proper education, learning etiquette, sword play, craft, flower arrangement, language, botany, knitting amongst others. Now nine years old Celandine was still feeling like she had lacked a true parent figure in her life. She truly hoped that this time, with this child (that her mother Philomel was not hiding and being very public about) would be raised in love and attention.

    At least Celandine was lucky enough to have a Blessing. As if she was a race that lived only a few years she matured quickly. Even though she was only nine she looked like and had the mind of someone twice her age. And she found she could learn things far faster than the average person. What would take someone a year to learn she could accomplish in three months. Any skill came naturally to her, any task she could quickly complete. She could even read fast, and retained so much information it was like she never forgot.

    She sighed and looked down at her hooves as someone ran past with a huge roast on a plate. They barely looked at her, and she barely looked back at them. This was her mother's time, after all, and not hers. Despite being called princess and darling of the palace, Celandine was no more in the attentions of people right now than the next deer the Gilded Lily hunted.

  2. #2
    Althanian

    EXP: 10,250, Level: 4
    Level completed: 25%, EXP required for next Level: 3,750
    Level completed: 25%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,750


    Celandine's Avatar

    GP
    2,182

    Name
    Celandine
    Age
    9 (but looks and acts 18)
    Race
    Faun (genetically half human)
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    "Kid," came the low voice.

    Looking up she saw the figure of her biological father, Rameses Vaeron, who was leading his massive horse Megladon. The beast was nosing his pocket, likely looking for an apple or oats. Personally Celandine liked the horse, although she preferred tera'k - huge musk oxen-like mounts who were favoured by fauns and other ungulates. Smiling a little she waved at Vaeron who nodded back.

    "You sitting on your own?"

    Celandine blinked, because it was obvious that she was. No one else was beside her on this bench. Unless there was someone invisible, but then she didn't know. Uncertainty came to her face and she looked to the side, carefully raising a hand to poke the air.

    "I think so," she replied.

    He chuckled softly, although he did not smile. Large scars that had once cut deep into the facial muscles on his cheeks restricted his expressions. Instead his lips twitched and the sound was a little hollow, but she knew the meaning.

    "You're avoiding it all?" He asked.

    Celandine huffed and looked over at his horse. "How is he?" She asked as Megladon snorted, very disappointed that his snuffling was getting nowhere.

    His handler pulled out a carrot from the opposite pocket and held it out to the horse, who ate it up greedily and without hesitation.

    "He's good. You aren't."

    She didn't answer that. Because it was the truth. She wasn't. It wasn't that she was jealous of this new brother or sister she was going to get, it was that they would he the life she had never had. They would truly be raised, from birth, by their mother who had only seemed to see Celandine as some sort of legend. But Celandine had grown up and now didn't want to be that 'princess' that everyone saw her as. Indeed she was good at fighting, and good at all the proper things, but it wasn't them that grabbed her interest most. Instead she liked a quiet corner and she liked to knit.

  3. #3
    Althanian

    EXP: 10,250, Level: 4
    Level completed: 25%, EXP required for next Level: 3,750
    Level completed: 25%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,750


    Celandine's Avatar

    GP
    2,182

    Name
    Celandine
    Age
    9 (but looks and acts 18)
    Race
    Faun (genetically half human)
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    There was a sudden yell from the keep, that grabbed both father and daughter's attention. Celandine ceased to swing her legs, and Vaeron glanced up with his sea-blue eyes staring strongly. He held the reins of his horse and stroked his mane softly as an upper window opened - which both of them knew was at the hallway with various bedchambers coming off from it, including their own - and a familiar face looked out. Celandine's governess, Gosling, all neat as always but still with the effects of stress in the lines of her face, looked out and gasped when she saw them.

    "It's time!" she called to them. "We're - we're so close!"

    As if to emphasise the importance of her words a loud groan came from the room behind her. One of pain and trials and boredom. Of someone who just wanted this whole ordeal to be over.

    Vaeron looked down at his daughter, raising an eyebrow. Around them the world seemed to stop, and then start again on double speed as the remaining women around them heard the words, and then shrieked and ran into the keep. One of them held a large basin of steaming water and another a pile of hot towels. Celandine wasn't sure her mother would actually want all those people around her, but who was she to tell the Matriarch what to do.

    "Are you coming?" Vaeron asked quietly as Gosling disappeared again, shutting the window behind her.

    The young faun shook her head and once more concentrated on her hooves. Sitting on her hands she swung her legs, scraping furrows in the dirt. "Waiting here," she said.

    He nodded and tied off Megladon to the arm of the bench. "Well I'll leave this idiot with you," he grunted. "Take care of one another."

    The horse snorted. Celandine just nodded as he took one last look at her. In that moment he might have smiled, but he only grunted.

    And then turned to leave as another horrifying cry rattled the cliffside.

  4. #4
    Althanian

    EXP: 10,250, Level: 4
    Level completed: 25%, EXP required for next Level: 3,750
    Level completed: 25%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,750


    Celandine's Avatar

    GP
    2,182

    Name
    Celandine
    Age
    9 (but looks and acts 18)
    Race
    Faun (genetically half human)
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    He was born in the late afternoon on a summer's day, when the sun hung in a cloudless sky and lit up the courtyard with dappled light. Girl and horse sat, waiting, and received word of her brother by a window being thrown wide open and his name being shouted loud and proud.

    "Aderyn Lance van der Aart, son and prince of Philomel van der Aart, he who will be deeply beloved and will walk in a brighter world."

    Celandine herself was blessed by Philomel's goddess. Who know though, what life waited for Aderyn. Whereas she had physically and mentally grown up twice as fast as a normal faun might, there was no knowing what he might become. Would he have magic? Would be be special at all? He would definitely have the life Celandine should have had, although hopefully less sheltered. The young woman did not know how to feel about him as his arrival was shouted across the cliffside and met with rousing cheer. He would be a great thing for her mother, that was certain, but also a new change for Celandine herself.

    "I have a brother," she sighed quietly, looking at her father's horse.

    Megladon snorted back, not knowing much difference between the world that was before and after, but at least there were oats still. He ate them up greedily as she offered some.

    "Hmm. Aderyn."

    She pondered the name. Very likely it had some connotation of a bird, her mother's name meaning 'nightingale' and her own meaning ... What was it again? Bluebird? Blackbird? Celandine huffed. She couldn't actually remember.

    That wasn't useful.

  5. #5
    Althanian

    EXP: 10,250, Level: 4
    Level completed: 25%, EXP required for next Level: 3,750
    Level completed: 25%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,750


    Celandine's Avatar

    GP
    2,182

    Name
    Celandine
    Age
    9 (but looks and acts 18)
    Race
    Faun (genetically half human)
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    Celandine:

    Swallow. A bird that was famous for its migratory patterns, and it's ability to fly extremely fast. It could best it's wings up to eighteen times a second. There was some question over whether it carried coconuts, and how much is airspeed velocity increased when it was unladen, but then - was it just the difference between a Raiaeran and Fallien swallow?

    The other meaning of her name was "swallowwort" - a type of plant that flowered bright yellow in spring and brought some good cheer to those who saw it. Literally known as "Celandine" it was best seen in meadows over the fields of eastern Corone. The young faun considered going for a walk, possibly out of the woods and to those fields. There she could find the flower of her namesake, maybe even see the bird. Then she could relax, be away from all this chaos and -

    "Come on," her father grunted, cutting off her thoughts. Looking up she saw him standing over her, brow raised. He held out a hand.

    "But Vaeron," she sighed, "I don't want -"

    "It's your brother," he said firmly. "Celandine you need to be ... He's not replacing you."

    She scoffed. "I wasn't worried about that. Not at all." Although, in a way, she was. There was a heavy pang of jealousy that she was desperately trying to deny to herself. Of course she wasn't jealous of a baby. Of all the attention he would get over her now - not that she really liked all the attention. People giving her everything and doing stuff for her and calling her, "princess," all the time ...

    "Ugh," she stood and brushed down her simple clothes. Nodding to the massive horse who had been her company she smiled at her biological father, and then turned to head for the Keep finally.

    She wasn't jealous, and she would show them.

    She wasn't ...

  6. #6
    Althanian

    EXP: 10,250, Level: 4
    Level completed: 25%, EXP required for next Level: 3,750
    Level completed: 25%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,750


    Celandine's Avatar

    GP
    2,182

    Name
    Celandine
    Age
    9 (but looks and acts 18)
    Race
    Faun (genetically half human)
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    Philomel sat there, curled up in blankets upon cushions upon matresses, the large central room of the residential floor of the fortress Keep. Off from that area spanned various bedrooms, belonging to Celandine herself, Vaeron, Philomel and others for guests. A huge fire dominated the space, plus sofas, all of which had been stripped of their cushions and seats to set up the temporary mattress on the floor.

    It was all arranged for comfort and the faun's preferences. A pile of sheets and towels to the side covered in blood spoke of how the hours had perhaps not been all that comfortable as she looked now. At least now though she was tucked up, looking exhausted and pale, with the small and fragile form of Aderyn in her arms.

    Smiling gently she looked up at Celandine as the you g woman stepped in.

    "Celandine," she sighed. "Come, meet your brother."

    A field of expectant faces gazed at her, all female aside from Vaeron who leant against a cushion-less sofa. Biting her lip Celandine knew that she had come this far and it would be terrible not to continue. Thus she nodded a little and approached her mother, nervous and definitely not jealous.

    She knelt on the edge of the mattress, hugging herself a little. Warmly, Philomel smiled at her, seeming truly happy at having made this decision. In her arms the delicate form of a half-being, with tiny hooves poking out of the blankets. So, like Celandine herself the faun traits had dominated. Interesting.

    "Dear?"

    Celandine looked up in surprise. She had never been called such.

    "Huh?"

    "Are you okay?" Philomel's bliss was broken for a moment, brows beginning to furrow slowly.

    "Ah no, nothing!" Celandine was hurt by the whole experience, but she would not ruin this joy. She was jealous - or not, because she wasn't - but would not show it. Aderyn would have a good life. He was innocent. Innocent. And annoyingly adored.

    "Fine," she brought a smile to her face, taking up the dignity of the princess everyone wanted her to be. "Fine," she nodded at the tiny form. "Hello brother."

  7. #7
    Althanian

    EXP: 10,250, Level: 4
    Level completed: 25%, EXP required for next Level: 3,750
    Level completed: 25%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,750


    Celandine's Avatar

    GP
    2,182

    Name
    Celandine
    Age
    9 (but looks and acts 18)
    Race
    Faun (genetically half human)
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    "I don't know how to -"

    "Just support his head," Philomel kindly, but firmly said, almost forcing him into her arms. With a tug she brought Celandine closer to her, nodding in approval as the half-faun awkwardly held her brother.

    The small boy punched the air with his fists and fussed a little, opening his toothless mouth to gulp air. Still, he was the red of a young babe, having just entered the world. He let out a small cry, and Celandine looked eager to pass him over at it, but he mother shook her head, pressing firmly on Celandine's arm.

    "Just support his head," she sighed against the cushions. "you're doing fine."

    "I'm not good at this," mumbled the princess.

    "Of course you are," Philomel nodded, knowing that Celandine meant it all. Being in public amongst her ladies. Being exposed to do much raw emotion. Being here, needing to hold in all her words because they weren't alone. Because they weren't a functional family. Because holding her brother...

    "Philomel," Celandine mumbled uneasily, hating the East the myriad of eyes looked at her. Some of them were adoring, some were intrigued. All were judging.

    At use of her proper name, the Matriarch frowned, but she read it. Carefully she took her son from her daughter with ease and plucked out her breast for the eager baby to suckle and nurse.

    "Are you well?" The princess let out a little sigh as her and she emptied.

    "Yes. Alive," Philomel held her gaze steadily. "Well enough."

    "Good. Good."

  8. #8
    Althanian

    EXP: 10,250, Level: 4
    Level completed: 25%, EXP required for next Level: 3,750
    Level completed: 25%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,750


    Celandine's Avatar

    GP
    2,182

    Name
    Celandine
    Age
    9 (but looks and acts 18)
    Race
    Faun (genetically half human)
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    She stayed with her mother and little brother for an hour or so more. People came and went. Philomel was made comfortable and breastfed her new child. As these things go it was not a smooth introduction, but instinct settled in between the little boy and his mother and they made the mammalian connection.

    Celandine was more than happy to leave at that. Philomel sighed and allowed her to go as the majority of the room was cleared up by those who were paid to clean and tidy the house. Bedsheets were hurriedly cast away and a cloth with the afterbirth was sensibly disposed of. Out with all these linens Celandine left also, passing her father in the corridor who offered her a raised brow. She simply nodded and headed back out to the old horse.

    Megladon comforted her. They sat together as the world began to celebrate and everything in their life changed. Celandine sighed, closing her eyes and imagining another life other than this, but knowing it would never be.

    This was who she was. And this was who she would always be. One could not escape their family.

    ... Or could they?

    It was then a plan began to form.

  9. #9
    Althanian

    EXP: 10,250, Level: 4
    Level completed: 25%, EXP required for next Level: 3,750
    Level completed: 25%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,750


    Celandine's Avatar

    GP
    2,182

    Name
    Celandine
    Age
    9 (but looks and acts 18)
    Race
    Faun (genetically half human)
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    By the light of dawn on the fourth day following Celandine Van Der Aart made her farewells. Her father and his lover and his horse stood at the gate, wishing her all that was fondness, giving smiles where they could. Vaeron had wrapped a small pack for her, saying that everything she would need was inside. Soft blankets for a bed. A hunting knife. Trail rations. Tinder and flint for starting a fire. The basic necessities that a starting adventurer would need.

    "I've got my needles," Celandine said quietly, fingering the nobbly ends of the knitting needles poking from her satchel.

    "But you cannot use knitting needles in a fight," Philomel said softly, Aderyn feeding as the mighty faun cradled him in one arm. She seemed to be adapting very well to this second chance at motherhood.

    "They are my kind of weapon, mother," Celandine replied, looking at her directly in the eyes. "Words and knowledge and my skill."

    "But darling, you have the ability to fight," Philomel stressed, having ensured the young protoge had had every opportunity to learn how to fight with a blade.

    "Yes I can," Celandine shrugged. "But you agreed. This is my journey. My life. I'm setting out on my own."

    The middle aged faun looked down at her heiress, of whom she had so many hopes and with whom she had made so many mistakes. Many of those she was trying to rectify with her second child.

    Softly, Philomel sighed, but then nodded.

    "I did agree. Just be careful."

    "I will," said Celandine, and she meant it.
    Last edited by Celandine; 08-27-2021 at 01:49 AM.

  10. #10
    Althanian

    EXP: 10,250, Level: 4
    Level completed: 25%, EXP required for next Level: 3,750
    Level completed: 25%,
    EXP required for next Level: 3,750


    Celandine's Avatar

    GP
    2,182

    Name
    Celandine
    Age
    9 (but looks and acts 18)
    Race
    Faun (genetically half human)
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Corone
    On a ship, over the sea
    Over the sea to Salvar
    On a ship, over the sea,
    To seek your new fortune.

    On a ship, over the sea,
    To the endless snow
    On a ship, over the sea
    To an undiscovered destiny.

    On a ship, over the sea
    To towns and people afar
    On a ship, over the sea
    Where magic is never loved

    On a ship, over the sea
    To seek her own fortune
    On a ship, over the sea
    Be careful, tiny hoofsteps, take care.

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